CABLEBOT Parallel Cable Robotics for Improving Maintenance and Logistics of Large-Scale Products

Summary

The main objective of CableBOT project is the development of a new generation of modular and reconfigurable robotic devices that are capable of performing many different steps in the life-cycle stages of large-scale structures. The CableBOT project deals with a novel methodology for designing, developing and evaluating cable robots customised for the automation in large-scale auxiliary processes. Parallel cable robots extend the payloads and workspace of conventional industrial robots by more than two orders of magnitude.

Three key technologies will be developed to enable the vision:

Design of Cable Robot: Software tools to design the layout and geometry of cable robots. The ad-hoc connection of groups of winches to different end-effectors creates different setups for cable robots in order to achieve flexibility and reconfigurability
Industrial Process Planning: Simulation of cable robots to verify the operation of cable robots in environments with large-scale structures
Control Algorithms and Systems: Distributed control and kinematic transformation to operate modular cable robots such as grids of cable robots under industrial requirements. The combination of these technologies in an integrated robotic system results in a versatile system.

CableBOT will demonstrate the potential of such automated systems for life-cycle maintenance and repairing of aircrafts and to introduce automation in life-cycle applications in the construction industry such as handling of beams.

Within CableBOT two fields of application are targeted in close cooperation to industry: Aircraft life-cycle maintenance in the aerospace industry and the construction beams post-production handling. Both applications are characterized by the fact that the state-of-the-art automation can hardly be used due to manoeuvrability of heavy and large structures and risks associated. The results are feasible for many other fields including large-workspace movements of products, with impact in logistics, transport, and warehousing.

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Web resources:	http://www.cablebot.eu https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/285404
Start date:	01-11-2011
End date:	31-10-2014
Total budget - Public funding:	4 447 931,00 Euro - 2 999 999,00 Euro

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Original description

The CableBOT project deals with a novel methodology for designing, developing and evaluating cable robots customised for the automation in large-scale auxiliary processes. Parallel cable robots extend the payloads and workspace of conventional industrial robots by more than two orders of magnitude.
The main objective is to develop a new generation of modular and reconfigurable robots able to perform many different steps in the post-production of large-scale structures. Three key technologies will be developed:
a) Design of Cable Robot: Software tools to design the layout and geometry of cable robots,
b) Industrial Process Planning: Simulation of cable robots to verify the operation of cable robots in environments with large-scale structures
c) Control Algorithms and Systems: Distributed control and kinematic transformation to operate modular cable robots.
Two application examples are targeted in close cooperation to industry: aeronautical applications of maintenance and the handling of construction beams. In both cases existing automation can hardly be used due to manoeuvrability of heavy and big parts and the risk associated. The results are feasible for many other fields including large-workspace movements of products, with impact in logistics, transport, and warehousing.
The exploitation and commercialization of CableBOT are driven by VICINAY CEMVISA, the application of industrial scenarios, two end-users of different sectors - EADS and ACCIONA - will automate their currently manual post-production. TECNALIA provides the technology for simulation in terms of productivity, cost, safety and robustness, whereas the design of the robots is in charge of LIRMM and INRIA. IPA and UDE are in charge of the control algorithms, on distributed and force control of redundant systems.
Benefits include an increase of production efficiency, a wider range of products, light and reconfigurable structure mechanisms and adaptable and more flexible operator assistance systems