RODEO has been launched to respond to a Call for Project from the European Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking. The consortium consists in five partners: three industrial companies (PRECISE as orbital drilling solutions provider; KUKA as robotic integrator; and MITIS as expert in drilling technologies and processes) and two research labs, respectively parts of Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier and of Université de Nantes.
- Modelling the phenomena involved in orbital drilling that impact residual stresses
- Developing a combined drilling and burnishing tool and associated operating conditions to attain required residual stresses
- Achieving the development of a light and high-speed orbital drilling unit capable to drive the tool in the prescribed conditions
- Integrating the developed orbital drilling unit on a lightweight industrial robot
- Defining the operating conditions of the lightweight robot to be used to ensure the drilling operation
A compact and lightweight orbital drill head has also been designed and fully tested. Its performance and very light weight make it possible to envisage its use at the end of a robotic arm.
The adaptation of the drilling head on robotic arms from KUKA has been studied dynamically, in order to define and optimize the phenomena of rigidity and resistance to vibrations. The IIWA arm was ultimately found to lack rigidity for the intended application, but the KR60 arm proved to be perfectly suited.
The progress made within the framework of the RODEO project makes it possible to seriously consider the achievement of the ambitious objectives initially assigned. The control of the level of residual stresses in the small holes of a stack containing aluminum appears realistic, even if additional studies deserve to be carried out. The drilling tool and the drilling head have been successfully associated with a robotic arm to constitute an integrated validated robotic orbital drilling system, light and compact, capable of carrying out the work expected by the aeronautical contractors involved in Clean Sky 2.
