A new force calculation algorithm for tendon-based parallel manipulators

Completely and redundantly restraint tendon-based Stewart platforms demand for an appropriate distribution of tendon forces to control the platform on a given trajectory. Thus, position control has to be extended by a tendon force controller which generates continuous and feasible force values. The computation of such force distributions can be formulated as a constrained optimization problem. Solving the problem is numerically expensive and requires an algorithm which is capable to be integrated into a realtime environment. In this paper, a new algorithm for tendon force distribution calculations capable for usage on a realtime system is proposed.