Demonstrator 2 - Fixturing in Closed Areas
This demonstrator is developing methods of fixing parts in closed areas and is investigating:
- methods of avoiding internal obstacles,
- large, flexible and difficult to handle components,
- different fasteners requiring different torques
- external wires
- differences between real and theoretical part model and part position
The clamping rig of one component, an aero-engine, is shown below.
The objective of this demonstrator is to build a physical system which illustrates and shows the following capabilities:
- End-effector technology (grip components, sense location then apply torque)
- Automated robotic systems
- Intelligent bolting
- Automated feature recognition
- CAD model / tracking
Apart from those capabilities, the control architecture of the demonstrator should be independent from the underlying hardware and should allow seamless integration of new modules into the system (Plug and Produce).
The posters below were first shown at the Forging Links event in Stuttgart, June 2008
Demo 2a Poster
Demo 2b Poster
An intelligent clamping rig has been designed for aero-engines and in under construction.
Some of the basic science associated with this work includes the development of a lighting rig for illuminating closed spaces, laser measurement of features and smart vision systems for assembly in closed spaces.
Videos:
Laser measurement of features
Smart vision system for assembly in closed spaces
A paper giving an overview of early results from the demonstrator was presented at ICIRA08.
