Intelligent Assembly/Disassembly System with a Haptic Device for Aircraft Parts Maintenance

Abstract

Abstract. This paper presents the development of an intelligent Assembly/Disassembly (A/D) system with the utilization of a haptic device. The development was aimed to assist the A/D process of aircraft parts maintenance with an intelligent algorithm. A comprehensive methodology is presented by an intelligent algorithm generating the best sequence for the assembled/disassembled parts. For this purpose, a genetic algorithm was chosen because of its effectiveness and compatibility dealing with the A/D sequencing problem. Furthermore, A/D process of the parts will also be calculated in the genetic algorithm process, which will show the effectiveness of the algorithm. Moreover, the concept of both natural and artificial constraints are applied to generate the path planning of the assembled/disassembled parts. It is believed that the combination of haptic, optimized sequence algorithm and intelligent path planning will increase efficiency for the overall aircraft parts maintenance process.

A novel optimal assembly algorithm for haptic interface applications of a virtual maintenance system

“…A similar study was described by Savall et al [5], while Kuang et al [6] focused on building a virtual fixture assembly language (VFAL). A haptic guidance force can be applied to each mechanical part by combining haptic technology with a maintenance simulation to more actively utilize the haptic information for an A/D process [7]. A maintenance operator can then be trained to move parts from their initial positions to their final positions with respect to the assembly sequence.…”

An enhanced haptic assembly simulation system for the efficiency of assembly tasks

“…Through haptic interfaces, users can have a sense of tangible reality of the virtual objects they interact with in VEs [6][7]. Active haptic guidance as well as object tangibility can be applied not only to medical haptics [8], a hand-write training [9] but also to a virtual assembly/disassembly system [10]. The active haptic guidance can enhance the efficiency of complex assembly tasks during a virtual assembly/disassembly system.…”