On MBS Constraints and Projections

Constraints in multibody systems are usually treated by a Lagrange I - method resulting in equations of motion together with the constraint forces. Going from non-minimal coordinates to minimal ones opens the possibility to project the original equations directly to the minimal ones, thus eliminating the constraint forces. The necessary procedure is described, a general example of combined machine-process dynamics discussed and a specific example given. For a n-link robot tracking a path the equations of motion are projected onto this path resulting in quadratic form linear differential equations. They define the space of allowed motion, which is generated by a polygon-system.