Robots can be classified according to various criteria such as their degrees of freedom, kinematical structure, drive technology, work-shop geometry and motion characteristics. [A] Classification by Degrees of Freedom : A manipulator should have 6 degrees of freedom to manipulate an object freely in three dimensional spaces. From this point of view a robot may be a General purpose robot: if it possesses 6 degrees of freedom. Redundant robot: if it possesses more than 6 degrees of freedom. It provides more freedom to move around obstacles and operate in a tightly confined work space. Deficient robot: if it possesses less than 6 degrees of freedom. [B] Classification by Kinematic Structure : according to kinematic structure robots can be classified as Serial Robot or Open- loop Manipulator: A robot is said to be a serial robot or an open-loop manipulator if its kinematic structure takes the form of an open-loop chain. Example: Adept-One Robot. Parallel
Link: Part of a machine which moves relative to some other parts is known as link or element. Link may be rigid or flexible or it can be a fluid link. Rigid Link: Link or element which is capable of transmitting the motion with negligible deformation in it. In general we can say there is no link which is perfectly rigid. For example: crank, piston, cylinder, etc. Flexible Link: this link is also capable of transmitting the power or motion with slight deformation in it. In practical machines we can say most of them links which are used are flexible links. For example,: spring, belt, etc. Fluid Link: Fluid link is just of fluid element by which power or motion is transmitted from one element to another element. The basic concept for transmitting motion with the help of fluid link will be the exerted pressure. With the help of the pressure the motion is transmitted from one point to another point. For example: hydraulic presses, hydraulic jacks, accumulators, et