A Redundantly Actuated 2-Degrees-of-Freedom Mini Pointing Device

This article presents the concept of a novel parallel kinematics manipulator (PKM) designed for miniature scale applications. A flexible universal joint made of superelastic material provides the device two rotational degrees of freedom, which are redundantly driven by three linear actuators that push against the mobile platform with a sphere-plane unilateral constraint. The kinematic and structural behavior of the flexible joint and the overall kinetostatic performance of the manipulator are investigated. Eventually a preliminary design is proposed, aimed at creating a physical prototype of the machine.