Abstract: A method and system for determining geometric properties of a manipulator (2). The manipulator (2) is controlled to perform constrained motions exhibiting force interaction with the environment, or between different links of the manipulator (2), such that a kinematic chain is formed mechanically. The chain may include peripherals and external axes of motion. A constraining device, enables motions that facilitate the determination of geometric properties. A unified model of joint and link compliances facilitates determination of stiffness parameters. The force interaction is controlled with awareness of friction such that non-geometric properties are possible to identify, thereby enabling separation of non-geometric effects from the geometric ones, which improves accuracy.

Abstract: A method and system for determining geometric properties of a manipulator (2). The manipulator (2) is controlled to perform constrained motions exhibiting force interaction with the environment, or between different links of the manipulator (2), such that a kinematic chain is formed mechanically. The chain may include peripherals and external axes of motion. A constraining device, enables motions that facilitate the determination of geometric properties. A unified model of joint and link compliances facilitates determination of stiffness parameters. The force interaction is controlled with awareness of friction such that non-geometric properties are possible to identify, thereby enabling separation of non-geometric effects from the geometric ones, which improves accuracy.

Abstract: A method and system for determining at least one property associated with a selected axis of a manipulator (2). The elasticity of the links (4, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14) and joints (3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12) of a manipulator (2) can be modeled and the resulting compliance can be determined. A certain method is used to control the manipulator (2) such that certain quantities related to actuator torque and/or joint position can be determined for a certain kinematic configuration of the manipulator (2). Depending on the complexity of the manipulator (2) and the number of properties that are of interest, the manipulator (2) is controlled to a plurality of different kinematic configurations in which configurations the quantities are determined. Thereafter, a stiffness matrix (K) for each component of the manipulator (2) can be determined, and a global stiffness matrix (MSM) for the total manipulator (2) can be determined in order to determine at least one property of the selected axis.

Abstract: A method and system for determining at least one property associated with a selected axis of a manipulator (2). The elasticity of the links (4, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14) and joints (3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12) of a manipulator (2) can be modeled and the resulting compliance can be determined. A certain method is used to control the manipulator (2) such that certain quantities related to actuator torque and/or joint position can be determined for a certain kinematic configuration of the manipulator (2). Depending on the complexity of the manipulator (2) and the number of properties that are of interest, the manipulator (2) is controlled to a plurality of different kinematic configurations in which configurations the quantities are determined. Thereafter, a stiffness matrix (K) for each component of the manipulator (2) can be determined, and a global stiffness matrix (MSM) for the total manipulator (2) can be determined in order to determine at least one property of the selected axis.