Design and Analysis of a Novel 3D Decoupled Manipulator Based on Compliant Pantograph for Micromanipulation

A novel 3D compliant manipulator for micromanipulation is introduced based on pantograph linkage. The proposed manipulator provides decoupled 3DOF translational motions. The key design feature is the use of parallelograms, which maintain the orientation of the end-effector fixed. The proposed manipulator provides advantages over its counterparts in the literature. It has significantly higher workspace to size ratio if its pantograph acts as a magnification device. On the other hand, it has higher resolution if its pantograph acts as a miniaturizing device. This provides great flexibility in the design process to account for the limited variety of the micro-actuators and the large variety of the micro-scale tasks in terms of workspace and resolution. Thus, the proposed system possesses the characteristics of gearing (speed up or speed down). A suitable choice of flexure hinges and material is done. The position and velocity kinematic analysis are carried out. Analytical expressions are derived for singularity-free-workspace boundaries in terms of physical constraints of the flexure joints. Dexterity analysis is performed to evaluate the design performance. A synthesis methodology of the proposed manipulator is developed. A finite element analysis is carried out and a prototype is manufactured to validate the conceptual design. Simulation and experimental results have successfully demonstrated the linearity and consistency between input and output displacements with acceptable parasitic motions. Moreover, the manipulability of the proposed manipulator is found to be configuration independent. Also, the manipulator could have isotropic performance over its workspace for certain actuator setup.