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Human-machine interaction (HMI) technologies enable the automation of various manufacturing and assembly applications while maintaining high flexibility. In this context, human-robot collaboration (HRC) capable robots should no longer function as autonomous systems, but much more as assistance systems or as colleagues for workers. In connection with shorter product life cycles, increasing variant diversity and individualization, the challenge arises to set up flexible robot systems, which can be reprogrammed and commissioned with little effort in a short period of time with preservation of the required accuracies [1]. Therefore, intelligent path planning is essential for development of flexible robot systems. In this paper the development of different approaches are presented that allow the worker on the shop floor to rapidly and easily program a robot to implement new motion tasks based on a camera and sensor system without programming knowledge.

Riveting is an essential process for the pre-assembly as well as the final assembly of aircrafts. In many cases, the riveting process fails to be fully automated, for instance, in parts with complex geometries. Thus, manual riveting is still widely common. Several works have been carried towards semi-automatic riveting solutions, namely in riveting the section barrel of the aft section to its pressure bulkhead. In [1], a method of communication-free semi-automated riveting is proposed where a partially autonomous robot performs counter-holding while a human worker rivets. The method has been modeled and tested extensively in simulation. However, although a demonstration prototype has been developed, models have been tested on it curtly. This paper investigates experimental evaluation of different model variations on demonstration. The aim is to identify the boundaries of the method in real world conditions.

Aircraft production is facing various technical challenges, such as large product dimensions, complex joining processes and the organization of assembly tasks. Meeting the requirements that come with large dimensions, low tolerances and small batch sizes, in combination with complex joining processes, automation and labor-intensive inspection task, is often difficult to achieve in an economically viable way. ZeMA believes that a semi-automated approach is the most effective for optimizing aircraft section assembly. An effective optimization of aircraft production can be achieved with a semi-automated riveting process for solid rivets using Human-Robot-Collaboration in combination with an intuitive Human-Machine-Interaction operating concept. While using dynamic task sharing between human and robot based on their skills, and considering ergonomics, the determined ideal solution involves placing a robot inside the section barrel.

Aircraft production is facing various technical challenges, such as large product dimensions, complex joining processes, and organization of assembly tasks. Overcoming such challenges, as well as maintaining low tolerances and small batch sizes, is often difficult to achieve whilst retaining economic viability. ZeMA believes that a semi-automated approach is the most effective way to optimize aircraft section assembly. This can be achieved with a semi-automated riveting process for solid rivets, using Human-Robot-Collaboration in combination with an intuitive Human-Machine-Interaction operating concept. In the assembly of aircraft structures - in this scenario the aircraft aft section - the pressure bulk head is mounted to the section barrel. Two operators work collaboratively in uncomfortable, non-ergonomic positions, yet of course have to maintain exacting quality standards.

Large aircraft sizes with high precision requirements combined with complex joining tasks are typical challenges for aircraft production. To increase competitiveness and effectiveness, the automation of such production processes seems a viable solution for companies in the aircraft sector. When implementing automation, in order to handle small batch sizes and high variation while adhering to tight tolerances, the production equipment must meet high quality standards and flexibility requirements. To achieve the objectives above, tolerance management is essential: deviations are acceptable within limits, as long as they do not result in quality losses and expensive rework. For these reasons, all the interactions between the product, production process and production equipment used must be analyzed in detail. The importance of this analysis is evident in assembly where new technologies are used, such as (semi-)automation using Human-Robot-Collaboration.

Assembly processes in aircraft production are difficult to automate due to technical risks. Examples of such technical challenges include small batch sizes and large product dimensions as well as limited work space for complex joining processes and organization of the assembly tasks. A fully automated system can be expensive and requires a large amount of programming knowledge. For these reasons, ZeMA believes a semi-automated approach is the most effective means of success for optimizing aircraft production. Many methods can be considered semi automation, one of which is Human-Robot-Collaboration. ZeMA will use the example of a riveting process to measure the advantages of Human-Robot-Collaboration systems in aircraft structure assembly. In the assembly of the aircraft aft section the pressure bulkhead is mounted with a barrel section using hundreds of rivets. This assembly process is a non-ergonomic and burdensome task in which two humans must work cooperatively.

Many assembly processes, particularly in the manufacture of aircraft components, are still carried out by humans manually. In addition to rationalization aspects, high quality requirements, non-ergonomic activities, the lack of well-qualified workers etc. may require the use of automation technology. Through novel possibilities of human-robot-cooperation these challenges can be met through a skills-based division of labor. Tasks are assigned to humans and robots in a way that the respective strengths can be used most efficiently. This article presents, how assembly processes can get empowered for human-robot-cooperation, using a specific work description for humans and robots, an assembly priority chart and suitable robot programs, to prepare for a skills-based task assignment. In the area of formerly exclusively manual assembly, the operations for the assembly of the product must first be described in detail.

The global competition challenges aircraft manufactures in high wage countries. The assembly of large components is very difficult and distinguished by fixed position assembly. Many complex assembly processes such as aircraft assembly are manually done by highly skilled workers. The aircraft manufactures deal with a varying number of items, increasing number of product variants and strict product requirements. During the assembly process hundreds of clips, ties and stringers as well as thousands of rivets must be assembled. To remain competitive in global competition, companies in high wage countries like Germany must insure a continuously high productivity and quality level. To achieve a reduction of cycle times with a simultaneous increase in quality, supportive assistance systems for visual support, documentation and organization within the assembly are required. One example for visual assistance systems are laser projection systems.

The automation of assembly processes in aircraft production is, due to technological and organizational boundary conditions, very difficult and is subject to technological challenges and economical risks. The technological challenges are especially the large product dimensions as well as the high amount of variants. At the same time, aircrafts are produced in low quantities with inflexible and expensive fixtures. As part of the research projects TRSE (semi-automated robot welding for single item production) and 4by3 (Modularity, Safety, Usability, Efficiency by Human-Robot-Collaboration) at ZeMA, the goal is to develop new process technologies, planning tools and adequate equipment in order to enable efficient and customized automation for various production processes. The human-robot-cooperation is an approach to a required, adjusted and flexible automation. Worker and robot work together without a separating protection device in an overlapping workspace.

The global competition challenges aircraft manufacturers in high wage countries. The assembly of large components happens manually in fixed position assembly. Especially the completion of the inner fuselage structure is done 100% manually. The shells have to be joined with rivets and several hundred clips have to be assembled to connect the shell to the frames. The poise of the worker is not ergonomic so a lot of physical stress is added to the worker and minimizes the working ability. Aircraft manufacturers need a lot of different production resources and qualified persons for the production, which provokes higher costs. Due to these high costs there is a demand for automated reconfigurable assembly systems, which offer a high flexibility and lower manufacturing costs. The research project “IProGro” deals with this challenge and develops innovative production systems for large parts.

Today's assembly devices used for large-volume components in the aerospace industry are characterized by their inflexibility. This inflexibility is evident by the common use of custom designed rigid structures and specially adapted solutions for a single task. This paper describes an approach for a flexible assembly device, using the example of an aircraft section assembly, capable of integrating and exchanging different kinematic units making it highly adaptable to a variety of assembly tasks and product types. This reconfigurable assembly device uses an integrated measuring system enabling it to handle and assemble different large components with high tolerance requirements.