Fibre placement for the aeronautical industry
Aim
A robotic cell for the manufacturing of large carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) is to be developed. Identifying the exact position of the previously layed fibre and correcting the path online in case of a deviation to the planned path, are pre-conditions to automatizing this process.
The basis for this concept is a track system with 8 independent robots. Depending on the application between 4 and 6 robots work on a component, while the other robots are loaded with new material or are maintained.
Challenge
ibs Automation was entrusted to develop the robot control system with CNC-integrated 3D seam tracking functionality.
Solution
The control solution developed by ibs Automation is based on a Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl system with 6-axis transformation for robots. The standard industrial robot from KUKA was adapted to enable the direct connection to the Sinumerik control system.
The complete control equipment is designed to fit into compact control cabinets, which are attached on the robot carriages. The communication between the robots and the control unit is wireless.
Sensors evaluate the exact position of the component and the previously placed fibre, and together with the corresponding actual axis positions the CNC-integrated seam tracking function calculates the new planned path. The new path is converted into NC blocks and the executed by the control system.