| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M22444/01 |
| Title: |
ROBOTIC WELDING |
| Principal Investigator: |
Blackman, Mr SA |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Sch of Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Cranfield University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 September 1998 |
Ends: |
30 November 2000 |
Value (£): |
98,731
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Civil Engineering Materials |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
While space frames form highly efficient structural systems the connections between individual members can be time and material consuming. In the case of bridges, the connections involve welders working in awkward positions in the workshop and possibly in exposed on-site locations. There is the opportunity for significant improvement in the welding and assembly processes in terms of both quality of output, economy of labour and energy inputs. The research programme would take state of the art automated/robotic welding techniques and adapt them to achieve automated welding of nodal joints of large diameter thick walled tubular space frame structures. In parallel the business process involved in the pre-fabrication, part and full assembly, jigging, welding and inspection would be investigated and developed.The study will involve computer modelling of the assembly of space structures; development of control software; development of robotically controlled welding; welding trials using robots; investigation into the overall cost effectiveness and the construction process.It is anticipated that the study will develop the assembly process and robotic welding to a point which will enable the United Kingdom to be a world leader in the field and cost competitive against lower labour cost centres.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk |