Development of a flexible fixture system for large-scale aerospace parts

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Fives is a multinational network of over 100 companies, with a total of 8,400 employees. Fives Liné Machines(FLM), one of these companies, is based in Granby and manufactures gantry-style machine tool solutions forthe aerospace, rail and heavy equipment industries. Last year, FLM launched the Liné Machines Robotics lineof custom-made solutions focusing on seven core processes: milling, trimming and drilling; deburring andpolishing; cleaning and surfacing; forming inspection and scanning; automation, tooling and part holding; andperipheral equipment for machine tools.FLM is interested in acquiring expertise in the use of industrial robots for machining purposes. The companyis particularly interested in using Fanuc's F-200iB hexapod as a fixture for holding a workpiece that is beingmachined. However, since FLM is focusing on the aerospace sector, it needs a hexapod that can position itsmobile platform with high absolute accuracy. Unfortunately, neither Fanuc, nor any other service provided,offers means for increasing the accuracy of a hexapod.The main objective of this project is to develop a method for improving the accuracy of Fanuc's F-200iBhexapod, by calibrating it and modelling its stiffness. A secondary objective will be to assess the possibility ofusing an array of such hexapods as means for flexible fixturing.