Supervisory control for co-ordination of multiple robots†

This paper deals with a solution of supervisory control problem for co-ordination of multiple robots. The application of two or more robots employed in a co-operating mode can increase the level of flexibility and productivity in an automated manufacturing environment. However, as the number of robots or the intricacy of task to be performed increases, the control requirements also increase substantially. Co-operating robots can be used in typically complex assembly operations where the payload may be too heavy for a single arm to handle; the object to be manipulated may be irregularly shaped and provide only limited access for physical handling, or the two parts to be assembled together may require simultaneous orientation and unique positioning.The co-ordination control strategies developed were applied to two IBM 7540 SCARA robots. Several control schemes were devised to achieve concurrent robot co-ordination and trajectory tracking. A digital computer program operable on an IBM PS/2 System 80 provided multiple concurrent programming of the two robots. Interactive control strategy and master-slave control strategy were designed, implemented, optimized, and tested. The results showed excellent trajectory adherence and repeatability for both control schemes. © 1992 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Duke Scholars

Author Devendra P. Garg Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...