Automated sealant deposition in confined aero-structures
Lead Participant:
OLIVER CRISPIN ROBOTICS LIMITED
Abstract
There is currently an industry-wide drive to reduce aircraft construction time, whilst increasing the quality of
manufacture and lowering costs. Removing workers from confined spaces, such as wing-boxes, is also a target
throughout the aerospace sector. This project addresses these key elements by considering the automation of
sealant deposition. Previous development on this topic has focused on open structures and simple seal
geometries. This project will investigate the challenging requirements for automating sealant in confined aero-
structures, as well as targeting the automation of complex seal elements and geometries, such as filleting
corners and initiating and terminating seals. Combining OC Robotics’ world-leading expertise in snake-arm
robots for confined environments and Cranfield University’s extensive knowledge of sealant application
techniques, this partnership has the potential to conduct innovative research, with game-changing results.
manufacture and lowering costs. Removing workers from confined spaces, such as wing-boxes, is also a target
throughout the aerospace sector. This project addresses these key elements by considering the automation of
sealant deposition. Previous development on this topic has focused on open structures and simple seal
geometries. This project will investigate the challenging requirements for automating sealant in confined aero-
structures, as well as targeting the automation of complex seal elements and geometries, such as filleting
corners and initiating and terminating seals. Combining OC Robotics’ world-leading expertise in snake-arm
robots for confined environments and Cranfield University’s extensive knowledge of sealant application
techniques, this partnership has the potential to conduct innovative research, with game-changing results.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
OLIVER CRISPIN ROBOTICS LIMITED | £50,909 | £ 34,874 |
  | ||
Participant |
||
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY | £48,022 | £ 48,022 |
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY | ||
INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |