Measurement assisted robotic assembly of fabricated aeroengine components

• Published in: Assembly automation Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 56 - 65
• Main Authors: Jayaweera, Nirosh, Webb, Phil, Johnson, Craig
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Group Publishing Limited 23.02.2010
• Subjects: Aerospace engineering; Aircraft engines; Assembly; Component manufacturing; Robotics
• ISSN: 0144-5154; 1758-4078
• DOI: 10.1108/01445151011016073

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the measurementassisted assembly of aeroengine fabricated components and evaluate its capability. Designmethodologyapproach The system described in this paper uses inprocess measurement sensors to determine the component's exact location prior to the assembly operation. The core of the system is a set of algorithms capable of best fitting measurement data to find optimal assembly of components. Findings The paper demonstrates that with a combination of noncontact metrology systems and mathematical processing, standard industrial robot can be used to assemble fabricated components. Scanning parts after it has been picked up was very effective as it compensates for possible components deformation during previous manufacturing processes and robot handling errors. Originalityvalue The paper introduces techniques for compensating the deformation that occurs in aeroengine fabricated components and potential component handling errors. The developed system reduces the reliance on part holding fixtures and instead uses a laserguided robot. This ensures that the system is highly flexible and reconfigurable.