Optimal Wrist Design of Wrist-Hollow type 6-axis Articulated Robot using Genetic Algorithm

In arc-welding applying to the present automobile part manufacturing process, a wrist-hollow type arc welding robot can shorten the welding cycle time, because feedability of a welding wire is not affected by a robot posture and thus facilitates high-quality arc welding, based on stable feeding with no entanglement. In this paper, we will propose the optimization of wrist design for a wrist-hollow type 6-Axis articulated robot. Specifically, we will perform the investigation on the optimized design of inner diameter of hollow arms (Axis 4 and Axis 6) and width of the upper arm by using the simulation of robot motion characteristics, using a Genetic Algorithm (i.e., GA). Our simulations are based on SolidWorks® for robot modeling, MATLAB® for GA optimization, and RecurDyn® for analyzing dynamic characteristics of a robot. Especially RecurDyn® is incorporated in the GA module of MATLAB® for the optimization process. The results of the simulations will be verified by using RecurDyn® to show that the driving torque of each axis of the writs-hollow 6-axis robot with the optimized wrist design should be smaller than the rated output torque of each joint servomotor. Our paper will be a guide for improving the wrist-hollow design by optimizing the wrist shape at a detail design stage when the driving torque of each joint for the wrist-hollow 6-axis robot (to being developed) is not matched with the servomotor specifications.