Human-Robot Collaboration for Complex Draping Processes of Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Polymers for Aerospace Parts

This paper addresses the idea of a work place where heavy industrial robots are operating side by side with a highly skilled human to support him during manual manufacturing of complex aircraft parts made of Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (CFRP), i.e., draping and preforming of dry material cut pieces. The system is controlled by the human in intuitive ways of communications - gestures and voice - and takes care of all process steps not related to the core of the process - the manual draping. The paper discusses one of three use cases in the project Drapebot alongside with the technologies developed and integrated into large robotic cell. The description of the setup, safety implementations and the current status and results are discussed providing basis for safe and efficient human robot collaboration with industrial robots in manufacturing environment.