Stäubli tool changer helps TPR’s aerospace project take off

When True Position Robotics (TPR) set out to apply its disruptive digital robotic technology to an innovative robotic drilling project, it turned to Stäubli for the robot tool changing systems required to complete the various operations.

TPR provides smart solutions for robot drilling and inspection, designed to fit within a digital landscape. As part of the Innovate UK funded ADI Project (Automated Drilling and Inspection), TPR’s technology plays a key role in transferring robot programmes which have been created offline, to the real robot, and guiding the robot in space to become a true digital twin.

As part of the project, multiple robot tool changes are required prior to and following machining operations. To optimise the utilisation of the robot in this application, a robot tool changing system would be required. It would be essential however, that any tool changer system used would be able to not only deliver the different media and services required, but crucially provide consistent functionality, precision, and performance.

Stäubli worked closely with TPR on this project to specify the MPS 130 R20 robot tool changer and CombiTac connectors which connect the water, air, power, and data signals required for this aerospace project. The ability to obtain both the connector and tool changing technologies from a single source, as opposed to using hybrid technologies from different suppliers, is seen as a benefit as the manufacturing processes, materials, tolerances and ultimately product reliability and compatibility is guaranteed.

Stäubli’s MPS 130 R20 robot tool changer and CombiTac connectors are now at the heart of this innovative system, performing the tool changing operations between the inspection systems used to define datums prior to machining, the drilling technology used to produce and countersink the holes, and finally the laser scanning system for final process verification.

Roger Holden, director at TPR commented on the Stäubli solution: “The main benefit for us is when we disconnect and then re-connect the different tools, we don’t have to worry about the consistency or quality of the different services. We can take that for granted as we have full confidence in Stäubli’s solution.”