(January 11, 2012)
NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) has developed the “Parallel link High speed Angle Control Equipment”, a compact device that allows high-speed, high-precision positioning over a wide range of moving angles.
Angle positioning control mechanisms usually consist of a parallel link mechanism*1 or a serial link mechanism*2. There have been issues associated with these mechanisms, including the larger size of devices when using parallel link mechanisms, or the lower positioning speed when using serial link mechanisms due to the weight of the moving parts.
The “Parallel link High speed Angle Control Equipment” developed by NTN employs a proprietary parallel link mechanism*3. This allows the associated device to be designed smaller and move over a wide range of angles. A newly developed drive mechanism also allows coordinated control of the angle of each of the three stationary arms, which ensures high-speed positioning, even when compact motors are used. A control method that allows minor reciprocal interference between the three arms serves to cancel out play (backlash) between rotating parts and increase positioning precision tenfold from ± 0.5 mm to ± 0.05 mm.
NTN will be marketing the newly developed product as a device that helps to improve productivity of automated production equipment that requires high-speed, high-precision positioning over a wide range of moving angles, in a space-efficient package.
*1 A mechanism that supports a single tip with multiple arms, where each arm is connected in parallel.
*2 A link mechanism that connects multiple links in series, which is often used in industrial robots (jointed-arm robots).
*3 Mechanism comprising of three sets of similar link systems between the moving and stationary link hubs. Each link system consists of a rotating L-shaped arm attached to the outer circumference of the moving and stationary link hubs, and a rotatably connected intermediate link connecting the axis of rotation of the end of each hub in a single location.
[Features] Allows free tracing of operating paths utilizing its high-speed, high-precision features.
(1) High-speed : positioning at 10-points/second
More than 20% faster when compared to a serial link mechanism (when attached with an 800 g load)
(2) High-precision : tenfold improvement in repeated positioning precision (compared to conventional NTN product)
± 0.5 mm ⇒ ± 0.05 mm (positioned 70 mm from the center of rotation)
(3) Compact and wide range of angles : allows a compact size that is 1/5 that of ordinary link mechanisms
A proprietary parallel link mechanism delivers 360° angle of rotation, and 90° angle of operation
[Applications]
Equipment and other devices for the application of grease or adhesives, painting or parts handling
[Inquiries about this release]
Product Innovation & Intellectual Property Strategy Department Tel. +81-6-6449-3602
[Product Photo]
Parallel link High speed Angle Control Equipment
[Parallel Link Angle Displacement Mechanism]
[Example of Application]
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