University of Nottingham

 

MainROBOTICS-720

Robotics for In-situ Repair

Robotic systems for in-situ repair is one of the research areas in the MCM research team. We focus on developing novel miniaturised robotic systems, such as walking hexapods and continuum robots for inspection, maintenance and repair operations in challenging environments such as aero-engines and nuclear, for example.

Unlike other hyper-redundant cable driven robots, the continuum robots developed in the MCM gorup are constructed with multiple continuous sections capable of large bending angles (± 90° in arbitrary direction), enabling them to access into extremely confined spaces, like  aero engines. Based on the novel compliant-joint structure, the arm of the continuum robot have the state-of-the-art diameter/length ratio in the world (i.e. 0.023) and it can deliver various end effectors (e.g. camera and machining tools) for conducting the above mentioned operations, which enables to significantly reduce the down-time of the facilities.

Walking hexapods developed in our research group are derived from the Stewart platform. Unlike the conventional Stewart platform, its feet can be controlled to anchor/release from the ‘base’ and all the legs can be articulated for propelling itself to the remote area. Once the feet are anchored, the robot can perform 6-Degree-of-Freedom high precision machining operation (10 um). Hence, the hexapod can self-propel to deliver different end effectors for inspection and repair on the targets located in extreme environments (e.g. nuclear), shortening the shut-down time of the facility and removing human from the hazards.

 

 

Research and Development List

Here you can find information about our projects. 

MiRoR (Miniaturised Robotic systems for holistic in-situ Repair and maintenance works in restrained and hazardous environments)
 
FLARE (Flame Spray Adder for in-situ Patch Repair of Aero-Engine Combustors)
 
FreeHex (Free-leg Hexapod)
 
REINER
 
RAIN (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear)
 
INSPECT (In-situ optical inspection of engine components)
 
COBRA (Continuum Robot for Remote Applications)
 

Soft crawling robots

 

EyeGlove for Inspection and Measurement in Confined Environments

 

 

Machining and Condition Monitoring

Faculty of Engineering
Jubilee Campus
Nottingham, NG8 1BB

email: mcm@nottingham.ac.uk