Product category:
Robots and robotic systems
News Release from: OCRobotics | Subject: 'Snake-arm' robots could
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 February 2006
'Snake-arm' robots to change aircraft
assembly
'Snake-arm' robots could replace manual procedures - such as in wing box assembly - by delivering the required tools to all areas of the wing box and perform final sealant application and swaging.
OCRobotics has secured a contract from Airbus to develop snake-arm robot technology for possible aircraft manufacturing processes The focus will be assembly tasks within wing boxes - an area currently inaccessible to automation
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 28 Nov 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Robots that snake their way inside
It could soon be the year of the snake, at least in robotics terms, according to Rob Buckingham, managing director of OCRobotics.
The composite, single skin construction of aircraft structures, such as the A350 wing, presents new challenges for robotic assembly.
Today an aircraft fitter climbs into the wing box through a small access panel and uses manual or power tools to perform a variety of tasks.
OCRobotics' snake-arm robots provide the opportunity to replace manual procedures by delivering the required tools to all areas of the wing box.
They could be used to perform tasks such as final sealant application and swaging.
More widely the development of snake-arm robots could ultimately enable major design and process changes creating the opportunity for considerable cost savings for the aerospace industry.
Future wings could be designed with fewer and smaller access panels and maintenance times could be reduced.
A demonstration snake-arm robot will be completed in mid-2006.
On successful completion of trials, the industrialisation process will be completed in the following 12 months.
• OCRobotics: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
