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This study presents a combined feedback–feedforward adaptive regulator applied to an active vibration control tool holder platform to contain the effect of machining vibrations. The proposed mechatronic solution can be integrated in a milling machine tool as an interface between the beam (Z -axis) and the tool holder. The aim is to counteract vibrations in the broadband frequency range (100 Hz–900 Hz), controlling the tool position in real time. The active vibration control system is based on the harmonic steady-state concept due to the sinusoidal representation of the disturbance signals. The study focuses on the regulator architecture and the main logics applied to satisfy the required performance. A full investigation is executed through simulations and experimental campaigns, proving the disturbance reduction. The active vibration control system is implemented on a 4-axis machine tool and validated using multitonal disturbances. The system is evaluated in compensating a set of undesired effects, such as vibrations generated by unbalanced tools or hard material cutting processes. The obtained results show a maximum reduction of the vibration amplitude by 43.7% at the critical frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeless industrial robot calibration plays an important role in the increasing employment of robots in industry. This approach allows to develop a procedure able to compensate the pose errors without complex parametric model. The paper presents a study aimed at comparing neural-kinematic (N-K) architectures for a modeless non-parametric robotic calibration. A multilayer perceptron feed-forward neural network, trained in a supervised manner with the back-propagation learning technique, is coupled in different modes with the ideal kinematic model of the robot. A comparative performance analysis of different neural-kinematic architectures was executed on a two degrees of freedom SCARA manipulator, for direct and inverse kinematics. Afterward the optimal schemes have been identified and further tested on a three degrees of freedom full SCARA robot and on a Stewart platform. The analysis on simulated data shows that the accuracy of the robot pose can be improved by an order of magnitude after compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a smart modular architecture that allows for a traditional production plant to be transformed into a supervised, fully integrated, and monitored system. The proposed approach is based on using commercial devices to create an industrial Internet of Things network connected to PLCs, CNCs, and sensors on every single plant machinery. The novelty is in the smart architecture, software implementation of the supervision, and monitoring. A base software code, easily adaptable to different applications, allows for highly innovative man-machine interfaces to be created. Therefore, the monitoring of the embedded systems can be obtained through multiple remotable interfaces. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated experimentally on a case study during a mechatronics industry exhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-cost robotics, fully integrated in the corporate IT infrastructure, is a requirement in the era of modern industrial automation derived from the Industry 4.0 model. This paper presents a multidisciplinary robotics-based learning (R-BL) project consisting of the development of amodular control architecture and a gripper for small manipulators. The solution, as compared with options available in the current robotic market, is a balance between low-cost devices with industrial robot performance. The project is carried out as part of the Robotics and Mechanisms program, a course in the automation engineering degree program at the University of Brescia in Italy. A 4-axis smallsize robot, able to manipulate many kinds of objects, was designed and built by a student team by integrating the controller and the gripper. The controller was implemented using a real-time Raspberry platform by following a modular design concept. The control software is characterized by a short development time. The gripper was advanced to achieve low cost and modularity tradeoffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]