Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Manufacturing and On-Wing Technology
University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
  

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Robotics for In-situ Repair

Robotic systems for in-situ repair is one of the research areas for UTC team. We focuses on developing fundamentally novel, miniaturised robotic systems, e.g. walking hexapod and continuum robot, for inspection, maintenance and repair operations in challenging environments (e.g. aero-engines, nuclear).

Different with the hyper-redundant cable driven robots, the continuum robots developed in UTC are constructed with multiple continuous sections capable of large bending angle (± 90° in arbitrary direction), enabling it access into extremely confined space, e.g. aero engine.

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 aforementioned operations, which enables to significantly reduce the down-time of the facilities.

Walking hexapod developed in UTC is derived from Stewart platform. Unlike the conventional Stewart platform, its feet can be controlled to anchor to/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 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)

 

 

 

RAIN Plus (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear)

 

 

 

INSPECT (In-situ optical inspection of engine components)

 

 

 

CHIMERA  (Robotic Inspection of Pressure Vessels)

 

 

 

Through-life performance: From science to instrumentation

 

 

 

Soft crawling robots

 

 

 

EyeGlove for Inspection and Measurement in Confined Environments

 

 

 

 

University Technology Centre in Manufacturing and On-Wing Technology

Faculty of Engineering
Jubilee Campus
Nottingham
NG8 1BB

email: utc@nottingham.ac.uk