Modular Control and Services to Operate Lineless Mobile Assembly Systems

Interdisciplinary excellence accelerator series, pp. 1–26

Abstract

Abstract The increasing product variability and lack of skilled workers demand for autonomous, flexible production. Since assembly is considered a main cost driver and accounts for a major part of production time, research focuses on new technologies in assembly. The paradigm of Line-less Mobile Assembly Systems (LMAS) provides a solution for the future of assembly by mobilizing all resources. Thus, dynamic product routes through spatiotemporally configured assembly stations on a shop floor free of fixed obstacles are enabled. In this chapter, we present research focal points on different levels of LMAS, starting with the macroscopic level of formation planning, followed by the mesoscopic level of mobile robot control and multipurpose input devices and the microscopic level of services, such as interpreting autonomous decisions and in-network computing. We provide cross-level data and knowledge transfer through a novel ontology-based knowledge management. Overall, our work contributes to future safe and predictable human-robot collaboration in dynamic LMAS stations based on accurate online formation and motion planning of mobile robots, novel human-machine interfaces and networking technologies, as well as trustworthy AI-based decisions.

Authors 11

1. Aline Kluge‐Wilkes corresponding Aachen Chair of Production Metrology and Quality Management Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Production Metrology and Quality Management, Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL of RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Ralph Baier Aachen chair Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair and Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

3. Ike Kunze Aachen Chair of Communication and Distributed Systems

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Communication and Distributed Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

4. Aleksandra Müller Aachen Chair of Machine Tools Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Machine Tools, Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL of RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

5. Amir Shahidi Aachen Institute of Mechanism Theory

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Mechanism Theory, Machine Dynamics and Robotics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

6. Dominik Wolfschläger Aachen Chair of Production Metrology and Quality Management Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Production Metrology and Quality Management, Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL of RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

7. Christian Brecher Aachen Chair of Production Metrology and Quality Management Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL Chair of Machine Tools

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Production Metrology and Quality Management , Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL of RWTH Aachen , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany

   Chair of Machine Tools, Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL of RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

8. Burkhard J. Corves Aachen Institute of Mechanism Theory

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Mechanism Theory, Machine Dynamics and Robotics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

9. Mathias Hüsing Aachen Institute of Mechanism Theory

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Mechanism Theory, Machine Dynamics and Robotics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

10. Verena Nitsch Aachen chair Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Chair and Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

11. Robert Heinrich Schmitt Aachen Chair of Production Metrology and Quality Management Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Chair of Production Metrology and Quality Management, Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL of RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany