Fri, 26 April, 2019
Installation of a new robotic inspection cell at TWI Technology Centre Wales has recently begun.
The new robotic cell is the continuation of previous research undertaken through the IntACom project to use industrial robots for the inspection of complex geometry composite materials found in the aerospace sector.
Previous research showed how off-the-shelf robots could be used to speed up the ultrasonic inspection of small parts with complicated aerodynamic shapes – something that is very time consuming to do manually.
The new robotic cell paves the way for inspecting larger components and will allow TWI to further research how robots can be used to overcome the manufacturing challenges of the future.
The new cell is composed of two KUKA robots on 8 metre linear rails and a turntable with a 4 metre diameter.
The new inspection cell is expected to be operational by the end of May 2019.