End-effector for automatic shimming of composites
Author/s
Antolín-Urbaneja, Juan Carlos; Livinalli, Juan; Puerto, Mildred; Liceaga, Mikel; Rubio, Antonio; [et al.]Date
2016-09-27Keywords
Automation
Robotics
Additive Manufacturing
Shimming
End-Effector
Abstract
Gaps in composite structures are a risky factor in aeronautical assemblies. For mechanically joined composite components, the geometrical conformance of the part can be problematic due to undesired or unknown re-distribution of loads within a composite component, with these unknowns being potentially destructive. To prevent unnecessary preloading of a metallic structure, and the possibility of cracking and delamination in a composite structure, it is important to measure all gaps and then shim any gaps greater than 127 microns. A strategy to overcome the high relative tolerances for assemblies lies in the automated manufacturing of shims for the gaps previously predicted through the evaluation of their volumes via a simulation tool. This paper deals with the development of a special end-effector prototype to enable the shimming of gaps in composites structures using a pre-processed geometry. The aim of this end-effector is to provide movement to a temperature controlled hot-end in order ...
Type
conference output