Finite time position synchronised control for parallel manipulators using fast terminal sliding mode

A new finite time position synchronised control approach for parallel manipulators is proposed using a fast terminal sliding mode (TSM). By developing a novel synchronisation and coupling position error, a non-singular fast TSM is proposed in coupling position error space. The proposed controller can guarantee position error and synchronisation error converge to zero in a finite time simultaneously without requiring the explicit using system dynamic model. The corresponding stability analysis is presented to lay a foundation for theoretical understanding to the underlying issues as well as safe operation for real systems. An illustrative example is demonstrated in support of the effectiveness of the proposed approach.