Mechatronic Design, Dynamic Modeling, and Real-Time Control of a Movable Scaffold

Abstract: This study presents mechatronic design, dynamic modeling, simulations and real-time control experiments of a new movable scaffolding system. The proposed system consists of a 3 degrees-of-freedom movable platform, which can be positioned on the outer surface of buildings. The platform is supported and driven by cords that are wound on pulleys and coupled to servo controlled dc-motors located at four corners of the building surface. A mathematical model considering the actuator dynamics for this cable-driven mechanism is obtained and its simulation results are presented. Design, manufacture and real-time control tests of a prototype has been done. Both numerical simulations and experiments provide good positioning performance of the proposed cable-driven mechanism.