Objective:
The project developed a collars, clips and erection joint application robot (CCE-A Robot). This robot was an extension of RTT’s work on the development of the High Mobility Manufacturing Robot (HMMR) prototypes. The CCE-A Robot completed welds in difficult to access areas and enclosed spaces during ship assembly, erection and post-erection periods of construction. No temporary tracks were required and the CCE-A Robot did not need bolting to the deck plate.
Summary:
Robotic welding cells trace their origins to the 1960’s. The robotic welding arms used then and those used now in US shipyards have not changed much in size and weight. This has historically limited welding robots to materials that can be brought to where the welding cells are located. Today, small, lightweight robotic arms exist. This Project proposes integrating these arms into RTT mobile platforms for welding. This allows these platforms to be brought to the most common ship welds: collars, clips and erection welds. These mobile welding platforms can augment existing compartment workers and significantly improve productivity and safety.
The goal was to:
- Demonstrate system prototype in operational environment
Request Final Report from NSRP – Limited Distribution authorized to U.S. citizens and NSRP ASE Program representatives
Overview
Project Team:
- Robotic Technologies of Tennessee (RTT)
- VT Halter Marine
- Tennessee Technological University
- Bollinger Shipyards
- NASSCO
- Bath Iron Works
- EWI
- Cahill Consulting
April 2017 – March 2019
NSRP ASE INVESTMENT: $930K
INDUSTRY INVESTMENT: $1.76M