Alema Automation is a company which has a long experience with single robots solutions working in cooperation with an operator for drilling and filling fasteners in aerospace.
Based on that experience, we have developed full automation solutions involving 2 robots working in cooperation. These robots are able to manage clamping force on flexible assemblies to avoid burrs, delamination and, in addition, to install 2 sides fasteners.
So far industrial robot controllers for cooperating robots have been based on 2 separate controllers requiring specific software from the robotic integrator in order to control the cooperation between robots.
Today a key cooperative feature is included in the package delivered by the robot supplier. Thus, it avoids complex programming from the integrator and specific development for cooperation to get more efficient application and also improvement on cycle time.
Alema Automation development has been made on both off line programming as well on calibration to provide cooperative robotic cells which perform installation of solid rivets.
Master robots are up to drill, insert and hammer solid rivets.
Slave robots are up to manage the bucking bar. They have high capacity to manage complexe trajectory which allows operating in difficult access area such as slats.
Besides, there is one configuration to crimp the collar on a Lock bolt but only as a prototype for the moment. The development of final solution is in progress and will be ready in the next few months.
These robotic cells are aimed to offer an alternative way from the monumental machine dedicated to equip panels with clips and stringers.
Our solutions have a better reachability on complex shape and are highly cost efficient.
There is the possibility to add a linear track to allow the robots to move along the length of the assembly whatever the distance.
The paper introduces also the newest developments performed by Alema Automation such as efficient and reliable solutions with robots in cooperation.