New Applications of Industrial Robots to Shipping (The National Shipbuilding Research Program).

摘要

Based on shipyard visits and a review of current ship construction, several new applications of industrial robots to shipbuilding are proposed. Preliminary estimates indicate that the time required to perform certain shipyard tasks could be decreased by 50% to 80% by the addition of various robot workstation concepts. Though control of robot workstations may eventually be integrated into CAD/CAM systems, manual techniques can currently be adopted, permitting a worker to program a robot station. Applications include, but are not limited to: (1) Use of robots for welding in both fixed shop installations and movable field installations. (2) Use of robots for flame or plasma arc cutting of irregularly shaped pieces such% as profiles. (3) Use of robots for grinding. (4) Use of robots for blasting and painting operations, particularly in the shop environment where%ere booths surrounding the equipment can be used to shield other workers and to keep the shop clean. Although industry is now developing systems for many of these applications, particularly welding, painting, and grinding, additional controls and sensors will be needed to facilitate their implementation in the shipyard. Controls are required to program a robot more quickly to carry out a particular task. Sensors are required to slightly modify the robot's course as workpieces change shape as in welding, for example.