ADFAST - Automation for drilling, fastening, assembly, systems integration and tooling
Overview
Background & policy context:
The precision of a robot is not sufficient for many applications in the aircraft industry. One method to achieve the necessary precision is to use high-precision metrology systems to supervise the position of the end-effector.
Laser trackers are widely used throughout the aircraft industry for jig set-up, offering a measurement precision of 30mm. However, they can only be used as stand-alone measuring instruments, and cannot easily be integrated with other systems. Software tools provided with the laser tracker are also insufficient for calculating the required machine movements.
Objectives:
The innovation in ADFAST project was to demonstrate how the integration of metrology systems with robotic controllers can provide a high-precision positioning capability for the assembly of aircraft parts, the positioning of a self-moving device and the drilling of holes.
Methodology:
The objectives should be achieved by developing a novel laser tracker controller optimised for machine control, linked measurement and assembly planning tools, and a CAD referencing capability.
Share this page