You are on page 1of 6

Intelligent Computation in Manufacturing Engineering - 4

HOW TO INVESTIGATE CONSTRAINTS AND MOTIONS IN


ASSEMBLIES BY SCREW THEORY

S. Gerbino*, F. Arrichiello**
* Dept. of Industrial Engineering Design and Management (DPGI), Univ. of Naples, Federico II,
P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
** Dept. of Automation, Electromagnetism, Information Engineering and Industrial Mathematics
(DAEIMI), Univ. of Cassino, Via Di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino (FR), Italy

Abstract
The use of the screw theory to do constraint analysis is described. Screw theory uses a matrix
representation to describe, for any mating features, the part's degrees of freedom (twist-matrix) and
the directions along which the constraint reacts (wrench-matrix). From these screw-matrices it is
possible to individuate the exact constraint conditions of parts into the assembly. Starting from the
basics of this theory, how to get screw parameters (constrained directions and degrees of freedom)
from screw-matrices is analyzed and how to make the constraint analysis for several serial and
parallel constraint configurations is described. Finally, a MATLAB algorithm to analyze possible
constraints and motions in assemblies with any complexity is presented.

Keywords:
Constraint Analysis, Kinematic Motion, Screw Theory, Assembly Feature

1 INTRODUCTION will be described. Finally some considerations about over-


In the design stage, motion and constraint analysis of all constraints will be pointed out.
the parts of the assembly is an important task to avoid fit-
up problems during the assembly process. The importance 2 PREVIOUS RELATED WORKS
of this kind of analysis is related not only to the kinematic The application of Screw Theory to kinematic field started
analysis of the object but, generally speaking, to the wide with the studies of Waldron [1] and Davies [2].
considerations that it permits to do in the different design In [3] different types of contact in robotic field were
stages and assembly analysis. characterized by screw theory.
From a design point of view, the constraint analysis Baker [4] developed screw system algebra to solve for the
permits to point out undesirable under-constraints or over- mobility and degree of redundancy in both planar and
constraints. spatial mechanisms. 17 types of constraints spanning the
Under-constraints, which occur when the mating parts set of all possible constraint configurations were defined in
have some degrees of freedom (dofs), could generate [5] for robot assembly. From this feature library, Konkar [6]
undesirable motions of some parts and bring to particular introduced screw system representation of assembly
configurations of the assembly that do not permit the mating features, and outlined the calculation of the
product to work correctly. The search for under- possible finite rigid body motions in simple mechanisms. In
constraints, in the assembly process, has to be done not [7] and [8] the screw theory was successfully applied both
only to evaluate the presence (required or not) of for constraint and motion analysis. [9] extended the
kinematics but also to correctly plan assembly sequences Konkar's method to more complex assemblies. An
and to perform a suitable design of fixtures. extended overview of the screw theory very recently
Over-constraints, which occur when more than one appeared in [10].
constraint locks the same dof, could bring to different kind
of problems. At first, it could generate mechanical stresses 3 PROPERTIES AND DEFINITIONS
that could cause deformation or failure of parts. In the Screw theory, already known at the beginning of XX
second place, over-constraints do not let the century, is particularly suitable to the kinetostatic analysis
individualization of univocal tolerance chains (the real of a rigid body. This theory is based on the well-known
tolerance chain depends on the real local contact that is theorems of Chasle and Poinsot.
not definable a priori). Another kind of problems due to Chasle’s theorem: a motion of a rigid body can be
over-constraints could be met during the robotic assembly represented by a rotation of the body around an
operations. In this case, over-constraints in the contact instantaneous screw axis and a translation along the same
between the manipulated object and the environment axis.
make difficult the interpretation of the information from Poinsot’s theorem: any system of forces and moments
force sensors. (generalized forces) acting on a rigid body can be uniquely
In this paper, motion and constraint analysis will be dealt replaced by one force and one moment. This force will be
with the aid of the screw theory. located along the same instantaneous screw axis around
Most significant related works will be outlined in the next which the moment acts.
paragraph. In the third section, the fundamentals and the Twist and Wrench, fundamental concepts of the screw
properties of the screw theory will be shown. In the fourth theory, will be introduced to describe motion and force.
section, examples of screw-matrices and how to interpret A twist is a screw (see below), which describes to first
them will be illustrated. In the fifth paragraph, how to obtain order the instantaneous motion of a rigid body. It is a
the screw-matrix when the parts are all connected in serial unified representation of the translational and rotational
or parallel way will be pointed out. In the sixth and in the velocity. The first triplet represents the angular velocity (ω)
seventh sections, an algorithm to obtain the screw- of the body with respect to a global reference frame. The
matrices when the parts are connected in a generic way second triplet represents the linear velocity (ν), in the
global reference frame, of the point of the body that is  n 
instantaneously superimposed to the origin of the global Intersection ( s1 ,s2 ,...,sn ) = reciprocal  reciprocal ( si ) 
U
reference frame:  
 i =1 
ν = r×ω; T = [ωx ωy ωz vx vy vz].
For only linear motion, the first linear entries are zero,   reciprocal ( s1 )  
 
while, if the rotation axis passes through the global = reciprocal  reciprocal ( s2 )   .
...
reference frame, the second triplet entries are zero.   reciprocal ( s )  
A wrench is a screw, which describes the resultant force  n 

and moment of force system acting on the rigid body. The


first triplet represents the resultant force in a global 4 EXAMPLES AND INTERPRETATION OF A SCREW-
reference frame, while the second triplet represents the MATRIX
resultant moment of the force system about the origin of The screw theory lends itself to the description of the
the global frame. instantaneous motion of a constrained rigid body and of
f =∑ fi ; m= ∑ mj ; mi = ri × fi ; the force that it can exchange with the constraint. The
i j twist-matrix building process, relatively to a rigid body
constrained to a fixed body through a frictionless joint, will
W = fx fy fz mx my mz  .
be showed. Figure 1 depicts some elementary mating
Due to the affinity between twist and wrench, the concept joints. [11] [12]
of screw will be introduced. Prismatic joint. A prismatic joint permits only a translation
A screw is an ordered set of two triplets and represents along a specific direction of the space, leaving to the body
indistinctly a twist or a wrench. This unified representation one degree of freedom. Its twist-matrix is made only by a
can be realized thanks to the structural similitude of twists row in which the first triplet (angular velocity) is null, while
and wrenches: the first triplet (angular velocity/force) the second triplet represents the unit vector components of
represents a linear vector (rotation axis direction/ force the translation direction.
acting line); the second triplet (linear velocity/moment) T = [0 0 0 a b c] or easily T = [ 0 | v ].
represents a free vector. The only point associated to the The wrench-matrix can be calculated using the reciprocity
screw is that whose velocity is represented in the twist or property and it will have five rows (rank=5). Every row of
that to which the moment is evaluated. the wrench-matrix represents a vector of the base of the
A twist-matrix is a matrix representation of a set of n twists, reciprocal space of the twist. The easiest structure is
each one represented by a row of the matrix. The matrix d e f 0 0 0 
has dimension (n×6), while its image has dimension equal g h i 0 0 0 
to the matrix rank. From a physic point of view the matrix W = 0 0 0 1 0 0 
image is the set of all the independent motions that the 0 0 0 0 1 0 
body or the joint can support. 0 0 0 0 0 1 
In the same way a wrench-matrix can be defined. where vectors [a b c], [d e f] and [g h i] are mutually
Reciprocity is the most useful property of the screw theory. orthogonal.
A twist T = [ω | ν] and a wrench W = [f | m] are reciprocal Rotational joint. A rotational joint permits only a rotation
if: m·ω + f·ν = 0, that is, the virtual work of the wrench around a specific axis in the space, leaving only one
along the directions of the twist is null (mathematically rotational dof to the body.
speaking, the twist-matrix is the complementary space of Then, the twist-matrix is made only by a row. Supposing
the wrench-matrix). that the vector r = [p1 p2 p3] represents a point of the
If two constrained parts are rigid, if the surface contact is rotational axis and that ω = [a b c] represents the unit
frictionless, and if the contact between the parts does not vector of the axis, the twist matrix will be:
break, then twist and wrench associated to the constraint T=[ ω | v], where v = r × ω = [d e f ].
are reciprocal. This property permits to move easily from The corresponding wrench-matrix will be:
the twist-matrix image to the wrench-matrix image and vice 0 −d 
1 0 0 0
versa. 0 1 0 0 0 −e 
The calculation of the reciprocal of a screw-matrix consists W = 0 0 1 0 0 −f 
in two operations: (I) calculating the transpose matrix of 0 0 0 g 0 h
the null of the screw-matrix, (II) changing the first three 0 0 0 0 i f 
elements with the second three (flip operation). This
where [g 0 h], [0 i f] and [a b c] vectors are mutually
operation is necessary in order for the elements of the
orthogonal.
resulting wrench to come out in the order [f | m]. The
Cylindrical joint. A cylindrical joint permits two
resultant sum of the dimensions of both the screw-matrices
independent kinematical motions: a translation and a
is equal to 6:
rotation around the same axis. So this joint leaves two
dim(screw) + dim(recip(screw)) = 6.
independent dofs.
For a set of screw-matrices, two different operations can
Then, the twist-matrix has two rows, one representing the
be defined: union and intersection.
rotational motion, the other one representing the
The union of a set of screw-matrices is the operation of
translational motion. The translational axis is coincident
concatenation to make a matrix in which every screw is a
with the rotational one (ω) and the matrix is:
row:
 s1  T = ω | v  , where v = r × ω, and r is the positional
 0 | ω 
 
Union ( s1, s2 ,..., sn ) =  s2  vector of a point of the axis.
...
sn  The wrench-matrix has a structure like:
 
The intersection of a set of screws s1, s2, …, sn is the set of W =  A B  , where the block A(2x3) is made of two vectors
screws common to all of them. From a mathematical point  0 A
of view, this operation has a complex resolution but this which are orthogonal each other and with ω; the block
problem can be avoid using the reciprocity property as B(2x3) has two columns with null elements; the block 0(2x3)
developed by Konkar: has all null elements.
Intelligent Computation in Manufacturing Engineering - 4

union of the set:


n
TSerial = UTi .
i =1
Theorem 4: The resultant of the wrench transmitted to the
terminal part of a simple chain of n serial constraints is the
intersection of the set:
n
WSerial = IWi .
i =1
The criteria for a generic structure of constraints derive
from these four theorems.
The different constraint conditions, that can occur, are
called over-constrained, under-constrained or properly-
constrained and have to be analyzed in the different screw
space directions.
A part is over-constrained along a direction of the screw
space if more than one constraint lock the same motion
along that direction.
A part is under-constrained along a direction if no
constraint locks the motion along that direction.
Figure 1: Examples of assembly features. If the motion along a direction is locked only with the
minimum number of constraints the part is called properly-
constrained along that direction.
4.1 Interpretation
Several researchers ([7] [8] [14] [15]) have shown how to
The interpretation of a screw matrix is the process through analyze constraints when features or parts act in serial or
which, analyzing the matrix, one may find constraint parallel way, as in Figure 2.
conditions and dofs out [13]. This interpretation becomes
necessary to evaluate the results of a motion or constraint Y Y
analysis process for a part or an assembly. To understand
the meaning of a screw-matrix, is necessary to analyze the Z Z
environment in which it is inserted. Is it a wrench or a Z
twist? Which is the reference system? Which part or
feature is the matrix associated to?
Once analyzed the context, it is possible to begin the X
X
numerical analysis. The matrix has to be analyzed row by
row, after simplifying it with the rref (row-reduced echelon X Y Y
f1 f2
form) operation (some elements are scaled to unity).
Moreover, if it has not a full rank, the rows which are linear Y
combination of others should be eliminated, thus the final (a) (b)
rows represent a minimal basis of the screw space. Figure 2: (a) Parallel assembly features and (b) serial
For a twist-matrix each row represents one dof (rotational, parts. For the chosen combination of features in (a), there
prismatic or helical). The resultant instantaneous will be no motion and over-constraints along Z axis, and
movement is a linear combination of all the dofs around X and Y axes. Its resultant wrench-matrix is:
represented by the rows. For wrench-matrices, equivalent [0 0 0 –1 0 0; 0 0 0 0 –1 0; 0 0 1 0 0 0]).
considerations can be done.
Rarely an assembly is made up of only serial or parallel
5 DIFFERENT COMBINATION OF CONSTRAINTS constraints, so it is necessary to find out a procedure to
An assembly is made up of several parts everyone of them study assembly with generic structure of constraints. On
is constrained, through one or more assembly features, to this topic, some studies have been done from different
one or more parts. To carry out a kinetostatic analysis of researchers [6] [16], but several mistakes make the
the assembly parts, to find a procedure that permits to proposed algorithms useful only for simple assemblies.
calculate the twist- or wrench-matrix for a generic Some examples of serial and parallel features in over-,
constraint structure is necessary. This procedure foresees under- and properly-constrained can be easily found in
a correct combination of serial and parallel constraints literature (see [7] and [9])
properties. So four theorems will be enunciated [6]. In the following section an algorithm that can be used also
Theorem 1: The resultant of a set of n wrenches acting in for complex assemblies will be presented.
parallel on a body is the union of the set:
n 6 ALGORITHM
WParallel = UWi . On the basis of all the above considerations, in this work
i =1 the authors present an algorithm, implemented in
Theorem 2: The resultant of a set of n twists acting MATLAB® environment, to calculate the twist-matrix of a
separately on a body through multiple constraints is the generic part of an assembly with any complexity.
intersection of the set: Using a feature-based approach, the assembly can be
n considered as a set of parts linked by assembly features.
TParallel = ITi . These features, on the basis of their different typology,
i =1 lock several dofs and can be characterized by their relative
Theorem 3: The resultant motion, which the terminal part twist- or wrench-matrices.
of a simple chain of n serial constraints can perform, is the The first part of the algorithm consists in an appropriate
description of the assembly. The structure (or skeleton) of results made by six parts 0,1’,1’’,2,3,4 where 1’ and 1’’ are
the assembly can be described by a matrix representing geometrically superimposed, but can move independently
the Liaison Diagram (LD) [17] or the Datum Flow Chain (Figure 4). The assumption loses the information that 1’
(DFC) [18] by the location of the features with respect to and 1’’ are the same part or, equally, that the parts have to
the part co-ordinate frame, and by the twist-matrices of all make the same movements. The link E is common to the
the assembly features. paths and it has to be considered during the computation.
The DFC is a directed acyclic graphical representation of
an assembly with nodes representing parts or fixtures and 4 4
arcs (with arrows) representing mates between them. A 4
DFC may be mathematically represented by a matrix in 2
3
2 3
A C
which each row is related to one part, and each column is
related to an existing link between two mating parts. Each 2 3
element of the matrix can be 0 or 1 (+1 for constraining B D
part, and –1 for constrained part). The LD is similar to the 1 1 1'
DFC but arcs are not oriented (no arrows). See [18] for 1
more detail on DFC. E

Thus, in the program, the first step is to insert the DFC


0 0 0
matrix and the twist-matrices of all the mating features of
the assembly (opportunely chosen by a graphical
interface). Figure 4: Assembly and Liaison Diagram.
After inserting data, the algorithm starts the analysis.
The first elaboration regards the individualization of all the This example shows how important is to distinguish
paths linking the fixed parts to that one of which the twist- between links common or not to several paths.
matrix calculation is of interest. This operation can be The twist-matrix related to the combination of two paths
realized analyzing and decomposing the DFC matrix to can be calculated by the union of the twist of the links
calculate all the paths from two selected parts (Figure 3) common to the paths with the twist calculated as the
(the path decomposition can starts from LD; in the intersection of the twist of the sub-paths without common
algorithm the DFC is used to locate mating-features with links.
respect to one of the mating parts).

1 3

4
4
2

1 3
1 3

2
Figure 5: Example of Liaison Diagram. Decomposition and
2 re-composition process.
4 4
4 4
Links common to all the paths are utilized to find the sub-
groups that need successive decompositions.
1 3 3 In the example shown in Figure 5, twist-matrix can be
1 1 3
calculated as the union of the twists of common links (bold
line) with the twists of the two sub-groups (each sub-
2 2 group’s twist is the intersection of sub-paths’ twists).
2 2 When all the paths linking two parts are found out, all the
Figure 3: Path search by using LD. paths that include a same link are grouped. The twist-
matrix of each group has to be separately calculated and
Once the paths have been find out, the algorithm has to intersected with the twist-matrices of other groups.
mathematically combine the twists of the paths or sub- The link/s common to the paths of the group has/have to
paths to correctly calculate the final twist-matrix. be considered as in the previous example and eventually.
Several algorithms in literature made mistakes calculating If the common links are in the middle of some paths, they
twist-matrices for complex parts, using wrongly the separate the group in sub-groups. Each sub-group is
serial/parallel properties of screw-matrix. For example in recursively decomposed until it is made only by one link.
[6], from a mathematical point of view a wrong property Once all the sub-groups are decomposed, it is necessary
was supposed. Konkar supposed that the twist matrix to operate correctly with unions and intersections. So
obtained as T=((TA∪TB)∩(TC∪TD))∪TE was equivalent to during the decomposition all the operations are registered.
T=(TA∪TB∪TE)∩(TC∪TD∪TE). The last operation is the correct re-composition. The
As shown by Shukla, with this assumption the twist-matrix numerical calculation can start only after the end of all the
loses important information. In fact, when calculating the decompositions and it has to be executed starting from the
twist-matrix of part 4 of the assembly shown in Figure 4, last levels of the decomposition.
considering part 0 fixed, Konkar’s algorithm fails. In this The algorithm, which is applicable to any generic
example, the two paths linking parts 0 to 4 are {A,B,E} and assembly, works in a recursive way and, during the
{C,D,E}. With the previous assumption, the assembly decomposition, it needs a particular organization of the
Intelligent Computation in Manufacturing Engineering - 4

necessary information for successive decompositions and These results show that parts one and two have some
for final re-compositions. This computational complexity is dofs. Considering that the structure is planar, the only
necessary for assemblies with a branched link structure. movement locked is the instantaneous translation along Y
For practical realization, MATLAB’s multi-dimensional axis.
structured arrays have been utilized. During each
decomposition level, all the paths, including parts, and the Example n°2
operation to be executed at this level, as well as the
information about successive levels, are opportunely
registered. 4

7 EXAMPLES
3
In this section two examples of assemblies analyzed with 5 2
the described algorithm will be shown.

Example n°1 6 1
11 Y
4 7 0
1 1 1 3 X

One
Two
f3 f1 f2 f4
Figure 8: Example n°2.
4
The assembly depicted in Figure 8 is a planar structure of
PCS2 PCS1 six parts linked by rotational joints.
X 2
Three This example shows that algorithm works also for more
GCS≡PCS3 Y complex link structures.
The parts are linked as shown by the DFC in Figure 9.
Figure 6: Example n°1.
0
The assembly shown in Figure 6 is made by three parts 01 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
mutually linked and with DFC shown in Figure 7.  
6 1-1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
1 20 -1 0 1 0 0 0 -1
1
 
a b c 5 30 0 -1 0 1 0 0 0
a
b 1 1 0 1 40 0 0 -1 -1 0 0 0
  2  
2 − 1 1 0 3 50 0 0 0 0 0 -1 1
2
c
3  0 − 1 − 1 60 0 0 0 0 -1 1 0
3 4
Figure 7: DFC and DFC-matrix of the example n°1. Figure 9: DFC and DFC-matrix of the example n°2.

Each part position (and orientation) is described through The location of the PCSs are:
the Part Coordinate System (PCS) position, measured in a PCS0 = (0 0 0 0 0 0) PCS1 = (0 .5 0 0 0 90)
Global Coordinate System (GCS). In the algorithm, each PCS2 = (-.5 1.5 0 0 0 -45) PCS3 = (.5 1.5 0 0 0 45)
Coordinate System is inserted as a vector of six elements, PCS4 = (0 2 0 0 0 0) PCS5 = (-1 1 0 0 0 45)
three representing the origin position, three representing PCS6 = (-.5 .5 0 0 0 -45).
the orientation in term of Euler angles XYZ (in degree). Each link between two parts is made only by one feature,
PCS1 = (2 4 0 0 0 0 ) localized with respect to the PCS of the parts signed as 1
PCS2 = (2 1 0 0 0 0 ) in the DFC.
PCS3 = (0 0 0 0 0 0 ). f0-1= (0 0 0 0 0 0) f1-2= (.5 0 0 0 0 0)
Each feature is located with respect to the co-ordinate f1-3= (.5 0 0 0 0 0) f2-4= ( − 2 2 0 0 0 0 0)
system (PCS) of the part signed as 1 in the DFC.
In the example, feature f1 represents a pin-hole planar f3-4= ( 2 2 0 0 0 0 0) f0-6= (0 0 0 0 0 0)
joint (1dof; rotational joint), f2-f3-f4 represent pin-slot
planar joints (2 dofs: one rotation and one translation). f6-5= ( − 2 2 0 0 0 0 0) f5-2= ( 2 2 0 0 0 0 0).
Their location in the relative PCS are: Considering fixed the part zero, the twist matrices of some
f1 = (2 1 0 0 0 0) f2 = (2 4 0 0 0 0) parts are:
f3 = (2 1 0 0 0 -90) f4 = (2 7 0 0 0 0). 0 0 1 0 0 0  0 0 1 0 0 0 
If the link between two parts is made by more than one TW 3 =   TW 5 =  
 0 0 0 1 0 0  0 0 0 1 1 0 
feature, as between parts one and two, the algorithm has
to calculate the resultant twist-matrix of the link. TW 6 = 0 0 1 0 0 0  .
Tw1-2 =[0 0 1 1 -2 0].
These results show that the part 6 can only rotate around
Once asked for fixed parts, the algorithm elaborates the
Z axis; part 3 can rotate around Z and translate along X,
data and gives the results.
but it cannot translate along Y; part 5 can rotate around Z
Considering fixed the part three, the twist-matrices of parts
and translate along [1 1 0] direction, but it cannot translate
one and two are:
along [1 -1 0] direction. For parts with multiple dofs (i.e.
T2 = 0 0 1 0 −4 0  ; T1 = 0 0 1 0 −4 0  . Part 3 and 5) all linear combinations of twist-matrix rows
0 0 0 1 0 0  0 0 0 1 0 0  are allowed.
8 OVER-CONSTRAINTS applicability of such a method on over-constraint
The algorithm presented in the previous section permits to assemblies has been finally outlined.
calculate the twist matrix of a generic part for a generic
links structure. This matrix represents the under- 10 REFERENCES
constrained directions (along which the motion is allowed). [1] Waldron, K.J., 1966, The Constraint Analysis of
The over-constraints condition analysis is more complex. Mechanisms, Journal of Mechanisms, Vol. 1, pp.
These conditions can occur when two or more features (or 101-114.
when two or more links chain) locking the same dof. The [2] Davies, T.H., 1981, Kirchoff's Circulation Law Applied
over-constraint analysis among features of the link to Multi-Loop Kinematic Chains, Mechanism and
between two parts is relatively easier because features act Machine Theory, Vol. 16, pp. 171-183.
in parallel. The problem consists only in the evaluation of if [3] Mason, M.T., Salisbury, J.K., 1985, Robot Hands and
the intersection among their wrench matrices are null sets the Mechanics of Manipulation, MIT Press,
or not. Over-constraints can occur not only among all the Cambridge, MA.
features of the link but also among a part of them. Thus, [4] Baker, J.E., 1980, Screw System Algebra Applied to
the intersection has to be calculated among all the Special Linkage Configurations, Mechanism and
possible combination of feature (Figure 10). Increasing the Machine Theory, Vo1. 15, pp. 255-265.
number of features, this operation becomes more [5] Kim, M.G., Wu, C.H., 1994, Modeling of part mating
computational complex. strategies for automating assembly operations for
robots, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and
Cybernetics, vol. 24, no. 7, pp. 1065-1074.
A B [6] Konkar, R., 1993, Incremental kinematic analysis and
symbolic synthesis of mechanisms, Ph.D.
Dissertation, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
C D 94305, USA.
[7] Adams, J., Whitney, D.E., 1999, Application of screw
theory to constraint analysis of assemblies of rigid
Figure 10: Intersections among sets. parts, Proceedings of the 1999 IEEE International
Symposium on Assembly and Task Planning
In [16] an algorithm to simplify these operations is (ISATP), Port, Portugal July 1999.
presented, even though it loses information about which [8] Adams, J., Gerbino, S., Whitney, D. E., 1999,
features present the non-null intersections. Application of screw theory to motion analysis of
To find over-constraints out in a link structure is extremely assemblies of rigid parts, Proceedings of the 1999
complex. Over-constraints can occur in a circular path or in IEEE International Symposium on Assembly and
a closed net path. Except for simpler cases in which link Task Planning (ISATP), Port, Portugal July 1999.
chains can be considered as of sub-chains acting in [9] Shukla, G., Whitney, D.E., 2001, Systematic
parallel (figure 11.A), the individuation of intersections evaluation of constraint properties of Datum Flow
among paths is not yet resolvable (figure 11.B). Chain, IEEE ISATP, Fukuoka, Japan.
[10] Whitney D.E., 2004, Mechanical Assemblies: their
1 1 Design, Manufacture, and Role in Product
A B Development, Oxford University Press, New York.
[11] Smith, D., 2001, Constraint analysis of assemblies
using screw theory and tolerance sensitivities, Master
2 3 2 3
of Science Thesis, Dept of Mechanical Engineering,
5 5 Brigham Young University.
[12] Bruyninckx, H., 1995, Kinematic Models for Robot
4 4
Compliant Motion with Identification of Uncertainties,
6 6
Ph.D. Thesis, Dept of Mechanical Engineering,
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
[13] Arrichiello, F., 2003, Il ruolo degli assemblaggi
7 7
meccanici nella progettazione e nelle operazioni
robotizzate, MS Thesis (in Italian) in Mechanical
Figure 11: Link structures. Engineering, University of Naples, May 2003.
[14] Adams, J.D., 1998, Feature Based Analysis of
9 CONCLUSIONS Selective Limited Motion in Assemblies, M.S. Thesis,
Screw theory provides a complete method for determining Mechanical Engineering. Cambridge, MIT, February.
the mathematically exact kinematic state of assemblies. It [15] Whitney, D.E., Matripragada, R., Adams, J.D., Rhee,
can be used to analyze the state of motion and constraint S.J., 1999, Designing Assemblies, Research in
in assemblies joined by arbitrary combinations of assembly Engineering Design, 11: 229-253.
features. Through both twist-matrix and wrench-matrix it is [16] Shukla, G., 2001, Augmenting Datum Flow Chain
possible to individuate the exact constraint conditions of Method to Support the Top-Down Design Process for
parts into the assembly. How to make the constraint Mechanical Assemblies, MS Thesis, MIT Cambridge
analysis for several serial and parallel constraint MA, June 2001.
configurations has been described, and a MATLAB [17] Bourjault A., 1984, Contribution a une approche
algorithm to analyze possible constraints and motions in méthodologique de l’assemblage automatise:
assemblies with any complexity has been presented. élaboration automatique des sequnces opératoires.
Starting from the graphical representation of the assembly Ph.D. Dissertation, Université de Franche-Comté.
described by a Datum Flow Chain, the search for all the [18] Matripragada, R., Whitney, D.E., 1998, The Datum
real paths existing between two any parts of the assembly, Flow Chain: A systematic approach to assembly
and how to combine them to get the final twist-matrix has design and modeling. Research in Engineering
been described. Some final considerations about the Design, 10: 150-165.

You might also like