Experimental Characterization of a Flexible Two-Link Manipulator Arm

Abstract

Abstract Experiments were performed to verify the analytical models for a robotic manipulator with two flexible links. A finite element model (FEM) employing two-dimensional beam elements was used to model the structure. A proportional model relating input voltage to output torque was used for both hub and elbow joint motors. With some minor adjustments to the link stiffness, the FEM modal frequencies matched the experimentally extracted frequencies within 1.5%. However the voltage-torque relationship for the hub motor was found to exhibit dynamics in the frequency range of interest.