An experimental methodology to improve the robotic drilling of aluminium alloys

Abstract

In aeronautics, mastering the drilling process is crucial to meet strict quality standards. While robots provide a cost-effective solution for drilling large, complex parts, challenges arise in metallic materials due to their low stiffness. This study establishes a systematic experimental method to improve hole quality during robotic drilling of aluminium alloys. Holes were drilled in plates in four positions and 64 postures using a 6 mm tool to analyse their influence on a new defect index. A static deflection compensation method was developed to improve hole quality, addressing static deflection issues narrowing the gap between robotic drilling and CNC machining.