Simple system for determining starting position of cable-driven manipulator

The very simple and low cost linear position reader is presented. The position reader has been designed and employed for the specific cable-driven manipulator. The considered cable-pulley manipulator is the standard inverted Stewart platform improved to increase its operation ability in small workspaces. To right work the manipulator requires to place it at the fixed starting post. The position reader and the manipulator are controlled by a very simple PC set-up.