A. Kravitz
Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute,
United States
Keywords: robotics, AI, Machine Learning, composites
Summary:
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institute, that is partnered with the Manufacturing USA network, has funded several projects over the last 4 years to develop agile low volume high mix and high volume low mix robotic technology for the manufacture of 3D composite structural components for, or applicable to, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, vehicles, ships, small unit riverine craft (SURC) and other equipment. The ARM Institute will present an overview of the robotic technology systems developed on these projects. The overview will introduce the teams, technology, concept of operation, and capabilities demonstrated during the project. Highlights of these projects included, the robotic build up and surface finishing of aerodynamic composite components, a multi-arm robotic system building bubble and wrinkle free, multi-ply 3d curvilinear shapes with a desired layer to layer angular alignment, and the robotic assembly of large 3d composite components to make very large aerodynamic structures.