Overview
Mobile Robotic Manufacturing System (2012-433)
Project Team:
- Robotic Technologies of Tennessee
- Ingalls Shipbuilding
- General Dynamics Electric Boat
- General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
- Tennessee Technological University
January 2012 - December 2013
NSRP ASE Investment: $223K
Industry Investment: $235K
Objective:
To expand the range of manufacturing tasks that can be mechanized using the previously developed Mobile Robotic Welding System.
Summary:
This project will construct a Mobile Robotic Manufacturing System (“MRMS”) based on the previously developed MRWS. This mobile system will support multiple manufacturing tasks that can be completed in a mechanized fashion (i.e., the robot moves the tool and supports the forces associated with carrying the tool and the manufacturing process). The operator will direct the task through a control pendant that will allow control of tool path, speed, etc., and receive feedback from the operation. The task may also be completed in a remote manner with the operator at some distance away from the task.
The effort is organized into three primary objectives:
- Expand the range of manufacturing tasks that can be performed by the MRWS; Enhance the mechanical and control aspects of the MRMS to apply to a minimum of three different manufacturing tasks (beyond welding);
- Enhance the system to be adaptable for multiple users: As the range of tasks is expanded, the range of operators will also expand. The control system must be designed to be adaptable to multiple users as well as multiple tasks. This objective will focus on the operator-MRWS interface to achieve a more intuitive controller that is adaptable to different users and different tasks;
- Improve manufacturing process information and practices. Again, as the range of tasks for the MRWS is expanded, the system offers the potential to improve how manufacturing information is handled. This objective will be addressed through a combination of storing and saving job- specific control settings, managing the log in and log out processes for different users, and to automatically track settings and activities, providing a database for best-practices on applicable jobs for the shipyards.
The outcome of this effort is an MRMS that can perform multiple tasks in completing a manufacturing process.
Point of Contact:
James Beard, Robotic Technologies of Tennessee