The UR5e cobot automates the inspection of the rocket thrust chamber

Cobots are not only able to perform precise processes and pre-defined work processes together repeatedly, but also with minimal deviations during the fulfillment, thus providing favorable conditions for discussion or analysis. This is an important reason why many manufacturers choose cobots for automated quality inspections. With repeatability as low as +/-0.03 mm (30 microns), Universal Robots are ideal for automated, precise operations in quality inspection and testing applications, as well as in occupations such as cars, metalworking, and even aerospace.

The UR5e cobot automates the inspection of the rocket thrust chamber

Manual operation is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and inaccurate

Founded in 1980 and headquartered in France, Ariane Group is a global commercial space delivery company founded by 36 aerospace and electronics companies, 13 banks, several national space technology research institutes and the France Space Agency. Since the 90s of the 20th century, Ariane Group has occupied nearly half of the market share in the entire world commercial satellite launch market by virtue of the unparalleled functional advantages of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle, and has become a veritable global commercial launch vehicle dealer Junhiko.

The Ottobrunn site in Germany is the power center for the Ariane Group to develop and manufacture engine components and valves for launch vehicles and spacecraft. The thrust chambers of the European launch vehicles Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 were also made here.

For a smooth launch of the rocket, it is necessary to inject liquid acid and hydrogen into the combustion chamber of the engine in precise proportions. The eruption head with its 566 individual eruption elements guarantees this to be done. All components need to be optimally treated to withstand the pressure during engine operation and to avoid leakage. Therefore, it was necessary for the Ariane Group inspection team to ensure that every component was handled correctly. Because of the precision required and the necessary acuity, inspection teams were unable to install traditional automation solutions. As a result, employees had to work on this monotonous task themselves, and a lot of work time was consumed for it.

Collaborative robots are selected to improve and maintain the stability of product quality

Ariane Group's inspection team was the first to evaluate the possibility of installing a cobot. The difference in aerospace application is a thousand miles. The Ariane Group inspection team needed to evaluate different cobot brands and capabilities. After learning more about Universal Robots, the technician contacted Universal Robots' distribution partners. Ariane Group then installed the cobot together with the partner. With the help of Universal Robots' online academy and training, the team easily gained the necessary knowledge of cobots.

With its lightweight, flexible, balanced size and strength, the UR5e cobot has become a "member" of the Ariane Group's inspection team.

The inspection team designed the structure of the application themselves. Together, the UR5e cobot is equipped with two different tools: a clamp for picking up plastic inserts and a magnetic screwdriver for tightening a brass sleeve. The cobot automatically replaces the two tools to carry out the corresponding process.

Currently, in the inspection section of the Ariane Group, Universal Robots is responsible for the quality inspection of nearly 600 injection elements in the rocket thrust chamber. In addition to ensuring high quality standards, it also reduces the testing burden of employees. In preparation for the inspection, the UR5e cobot inserts plastic inserts into the nearly 600 ejection elements in the rocket's thrust chamber and tightens them with brass sleeves. In subsequent processing, the UR5e cobot removes these components accordingly. The integrated force-torque transducers of the e-series guarantee the necessary sensitivity and avoid damage to the components.

Form a collaborative robot community to expand the use of automation

The use of the UR5e cobot in the inspection part of the Ariane Group is just the beginning of the company's automation with Universal Robots. Now, a community of cobots has formed within the Ariane Group. Employees from multiple sites share their knowledge and ideas about the possibilities of cobot automation in this community. The growing community provides a channel for employees to exchange ideas for future projects, advocate with each other, and work together to discover the potential of cobots in their daily work.

The Grab & Place application is the first application. The Ariane Group is developing two more applications in the field of testing, and now the collaborative robot community within the Ariane Group is going from strength to strength, with which there is in-depth communication for future projects.

The UR5e cobot automates the inspection of the rocket thrust chamber

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