FlexBotNDT: Efficient and Precise Quality Control of Materials with Collaborative Robots
Duration:
01/2022
—
12/2022
Total Time:
1 Year
Overhead mounted robotic arm for quality control, Photo: JOANNEUM RESEARCH/Torkar
The Project
How do robots support quality control in production?
The result of the project FlexBotNDT simplifies quality control in production. Instead of performing repetitive and monotonous tasks manually, testing devices and collaborative robots (cobots) are used. These enable flexible, non-destructive material testing in which sheet metal and semi-finished products are inspected for irregularities. This approach allows more efficient and accurate quality control of semi-finished products of different sizes.
Our activities within the project
For this project, we are developing an automated testing system consisting of a specially designed end effector for applying various ultrasonic probes and a coupling medium. The movement of the end effector is controlled by a collaborative robot mounted on a linear axis.
Research group
Downloads
Sponsors
EIT Manufacturing
Project Partners
OndoSense
Voestalpine
Awesome Technologies
Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems and Automation
EIT Manufacturing
Project Details
The aim of FlexBotNDT is to develop a robotic system consisting of testing devices and collaborative robots that can be used for the quality control of sheet metal and other semi-finished products. This involves flexible, non-destructive material testing (NDT) using collaborative robots that inspect the material for cavities and other anomalies.
As part of the project, an automated testing system was created. This system comprises a specially designed end effector for attaching various ultrasonic probes and applying a coupling medium. The movement of the end effector is controlled by a collaborative robot mounted on a linear axis. This automated testing system enables non-destructive material testing of semi-finished products of various sizes.
Quality controls are a crucial step in producing flawless end products. However, these controls often involve repetitive and monotonous tasks. Employees are relieved by automating these monotonous tasks.
