Dynamics analysis of the Star parallel manipulator

Matrix relations in kinematics and dynamics of the Star parallel manipulator are established in this paper. The prototype of the manipulator is a three-degree-of-freedom mechanism, which consists of a system of parallel kinematical chains connecting to a moving platform. Knowing the translation motion of the platform, we develop first the inverse kinematics problem and determine the position, velocity and acceleration of each robot’s link. Further, the inverse dynamics problem is solved using an approach based on the principle of virtual work, but it has been verified the results in the framework of the Lagrange equations with their multipliers. Recursive formulae offer expressions and graphs for the power requirement comparison of each of three actuators in two computational complexities: complete dynamic model and simplified dynamic model. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.