Influence of the Manipulator Configuration on Vibration Effects

Abstract Vibration analysis of industrial robots is one of the key issues in the context of robotisation of machining processes. Low-frequency vibrations result from flexibility in manipulator joints. Within the scope of the article, a model of a two-link robot manipulator was built. Dynamic equations of motion were formulated to study the influence of the robot arm configuration on vibration effects. Based on numerical simulations, the frequency spectrum of vibrations of the robot’s links was determined, and tests were carried out in a number of configurations, obtaining a map of resonant frequencies depending on the configuration of the manipulator. Experimental studies were then carried out, which confirmed the conclusions from the simulation studies. The results obtained confirm that the positioning of the manipulator’s links has a significant effect on vibration effects. Tests conducted using a vision system with a motion amplification application made it easier to interpret the results. The formulated mathematical model of the manipulator generates results that coincide with the results of experimental studies.