Compatibility Assessment for Interfaces in Drivetrains of Robot-Like Systems

Due to the complexity of robot-like systems (RLS), new developments are often avoided, and most variants of the systems are designed. The primary determinant of an RLS is its drivetrain, which comprises purchased components, namely the controller, motor driver, motor, and gearbox. Each of these purchased parts has different interfaces that are not standardized. If the interfaces are sufficiently complex, the compatibility of the parts can no longer be guaranteed manually. Therefore, this paper presents a draft ontology that verifies the compatibility of purchased parts in RLS drivetrains. Classes and properties are obtained from expert knowledge, norms, data standards, and data sheets to build an ontology. The ontology design is evaluated using an application example for a motor-gearbox interface.