| In remote control, the master element which the user operates looks for practical and historical reasons like the slave arm and therefore features a series architecture, with a few drawbacks in terms of mass, dimensions, rigidity and mechanical complexity. To remedy these defects, we are now introducing a new master element with parallel kinematics. This syntactor, derived from Steward's manipulators, has six degrees of freedom and comprises six motor-driven links arranged on a fixed plate (the base) and a moving plate on which a 6-axis force transducer and a handle are mounted. The device is made artificially free along a few or all axes by means of a hybrid position/force control software which translates the wrench of forces applied by the operator on... |
