Huntsville based company, Aerobotix, was recently recognized for their part in an award winning collaboration with their Atlanta based partner, Compass Technology Group (CTG).

Together, CTG and Aerobotix, an innovative leader in advanced metrology and robotic solutions, developed an adaptive radome diagnostic system which won the top Defense Manufacturing Technology Achieve (DMTA) Award at this year’s Defense Manufacturing Conference.

“Aerobotix is extremely proud and honored to have assisted Compass Technology Group in this endeavor,” said Josh Tuttle, Business Development Manager at Aerobotix. “This truly is an example of Industry 4.0, as these self-navigating robots can be rapidly repurposed to serve multiple objectives, and in multiple locations. From a quality control standpoint, this technology could be used to save substantial amounts of money for organizations and further increase means of production and manufacturing.”

The project also marks the first ever use of a collaborative mobile robot in Air Force maintenance depots. The mobile robot manipulates an Advanced Microwave Mapping Probe (AMMP) and the system uses microwave signals to non-destructively evaluate aircraft radomes and the identify defects in the aircraft. Aerobotix designed and built the system using a FANUC CRX – 10iA robot. This robot rides on a separate Automated Guided Vehicle and, using LiDAR to scan the work zone for safe navigation, adjusts scanning paths and executes detailed part analysis.

Representatives from CTG say the technological achievement is a huge step forward in their respective fields.

“This dramatic technology leap has enabled us to deploy laboratory precision in an Air Force manufacturing environment,” said Dr. John Schultz, Chief Scientist at CTG. “Combining our sensors and algorithms with Aerobotix’s automation system has moved us from literally tapping a penny while listening for substrate damage, to instead quantifying microwave performance with self-navigating LiDAR on a mobile base with a FANUC collaborative robot. Our robotic microwave NDE system will put better parts back in the air, quicker and at less cost.”

The DMTA awards are given to teams of government, industry and academia employees who are responsible for outstanding projects in manufacturing technology. Aerobotix specializes in the creation of cutting-edge automated robotic solutions for high-value aircraft and vehicles.

“Aerobotix is perhaps best known for robotic painting, but this award for our work with CTG highlights our expertise in metrology and navigation systems,” added Tuttle. “We are a reliable automation integrator for the aerospace industry and excited to partner with other companies on future projects.”

For more information, please visit https://aerobotix.net/

Photos courtesy of Dalton Agency