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Looking at ways to improve assembly techniques and cut lead times for serial and future programs, Airbus' research and technology team launched a project some years ago to evaluate greater automation of sub-components or final assembly lines. The idea was to develop a new type of machine or ‘robot’ that could be attached to fuselage sections using suction cups, and walk along it while drilling and installing fasteners. A camera inside the robot takes a snapshot to work out its position on the part, so that it knows where to drill or install what. Once a fixed working area is complete, the robot moves itself into a new position and starts the process again until the whole surface is covered. Three companies - Alema, MTorres and Serra - were approached to develop prototype robots along the same basic principles, although each was asked to follow a slightly different specification to test a range of options, such as weight, size and positioning.

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.