A hexapod-based machine tool with hybrid structure: Kinematic analysis and trajectory planning

This paper shows kinematic analysis and trajectory planning for a novel machine tool structure consisting of a six degree-of-freedom hexapod machine and a two-degree-of-freedom rotary table. Accordingly, to operate the proposed machine tool, eight coordinates should be defined. Since a conventional part programming can define at the most five axes, the three remaining coordinates should be defined by using appropriate trajectory planning. An analytical model is developed that defines the relationships among the parameters in the proposed structure. A rule-based model is also developed to select the redundant coordinates without going through any complex and time-consuming calculations.