Leibniz Universität Hannover Faculty Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
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Institute of Assembly Technology and Robotics
 
Institute of Assembly Technology and Robotics Research Research Areas

Assembly and handling technology

Automation is the key to cost-effective production in many areas and can counteract the shortage of skilled labour. Many tasks can be automated using conventional technology. But what if the components to be handled do not have a clearly defined shape and position or if boundary conditions prevent the use of conventional methods? In this area, match is researching universal or customised solutions for the resilient and versatile production of tomorrow.

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Automation is the key to cost-effective production in many areas and can counteract the shortage of skilled labour. Many tasks can be automated using conventional technology. But what if the components to be handled do not have a clearly defined shape and position or if boundary conditions prevent the use of conventional methods? In this area, match is researching universal or customised solutions for the resilient and versatile production of tomorrow.

Current research in the field of assembly and handling technology is focussed on the development of innovative solutions to make production processes more efficient, flexible and safe. A central focus is on the automation of assembly tasks in order to relieve human labour and increase productivity at the same time. One of the main problems is that many objects in the real world have a wide variety of shapes, sizes, weights and surface textures. This makes it difficult for automated systems to reliably identify, grip and handle objects. The development of gripping systems that can adapt to different objects is therefore one of the key challenges in this area.

Another problem is the adaptability of automated assembly systems. In today's fast-paced manufacturing world, products and production requirements change frequently, requiring flexibility in assembly processes. Developing systems that can be quickly and easily adapted to new products is therefore a major challenge. Quality assurance is also an important challenge in automated assembly. Real-time monitoring and control are therefore crucial in order to recognise and correct errors at an early stage.

Overall, current research in the field of assembly and handling technology aims to transform the manufacturing industry through advanced technologies and methods in order to meet the increasing demands for flexibility, quality and competitiveness.

Research projects

  • Future Lab: Digitized Circular Economy
    In this research alliance, match will conduct research into automated disassembly so that the subsequent process steps such as remanufacturing or recycling can be optimally prepared. In addition to the components required for the disassembly system, processes for analysing the condition of the products and processes for disassembly planning based on this must also be developed. The dismantled components are then supplied to project partners for reworking or repair so that they can be integrated into new products.
    Team: David Wendorff, Sebastian Blankemeyer
    Year: 2024
    Funding: MW and VolkswagenStiftung
  • CRC 1153: Flexible process chain for the resource-efficient production of tailored forming components
    As part of the Collaborative Research Centre 1153, new design, joining, forming, post-processing and testing processes for the production of hybrid solid high-performance components were developed and implemented. The aim of this sub-project is to link these individual processes into an automated overall process in order to validate the functionality of the processes in a continuous process chain and to produce reproducible samples.
    Team: Sebastian Blankemeyer
    Year: 2023
    Funding: DFG
  • Strategies for piezo actuator-assisted disassembly of bolted joints
    The Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 871 "Regeneration of Complex Capital Goods" has been researching the scientific principles of regeneration since 2010, using civil aircraft engines as an example. The motivation is how complex components can be efficiently maintained and repaired in a resource-friendly way. The match focuses in the transfer project T16 on and develops novel strategies for gentle disassembly using the example of bolted joints.
    Team: Richard Blümel
    Year: 2023
    Funding: DFG
    Duration: 2,5 Years
  • Active image-based feeding of small parts using aerodynamic chicanes
    A crucial component of automated assembly is the feeding device, which provides the handling device (e.g. industrial robot) with the components to be assembled in a defined position and orientation. In this project, methods for the flexible and efficient feeding of components are being researched with the help of image processing, AI and aerodynamic orientation modules.
    Team: Torge Kolditz
    Year: 2022
    Funding: DFG (German Research Foundation)
  • CRC 1368: adhesive-based assembly processes in XHV-adequate atmospheres
    As part of the Collaborative Research Center 1368 "Oxygen-free production", the match deals with adhesive-based assembly technology in a technically oxygen-free atmosphere. The aim of the sub-project is to gain knowledge about the technical properties of bonded joints produced in an oxygen-free atmosphere and with deoxidized joining partners.
    Team: Sandra Gerland, Rolf Wiemann
    Year: 2020
    Funding: DFG
  • Handling of Hot-Forged Hybrid Components in the Process of Tailored Forming
    The CRC 1153 "Tailored Forming" aims to exploit the potential of hybrid solid components based on a novel process chain and to develop the required manufacturing processes. The match focuses on the development of functional modules for form-variable and function-integrated handling of components with temperatures up to 1250 °C.
    Team: Caner Ince
    Year: 2019
    Funding: DFG
  • Underactuated handling systems
    Within the field of "underactuated handling systems" assembly systems with fewer actuators than degrees of freedom are being researched. The basic idea is to reduce the design effort and avoid the costs of actuated systems, where each degree of freedom is typically linked to a separate motor. The main topics are the structural synthesis of the orientation mechanism and the control of the highly nonlinear dynamics.
    Team: Tobias Recker
    Year: 2017
  • Robot-assisted cooperative handling and assembly
    The handling and assembly of compliant and large-scale components is an important step in the process chain, especially with regard to fiber composite production. The problems that can occur when handling flexible components are their shape changes, which can lead to an undefined placement position. Furthermore, grasping with conventional grippers is often not possible.
    Team: Sebastian Blankemeyer
    Year: 2015
  • Collaborative Assembly of Human and Machine
    Assembly is the final step in the process chain and therefore plays a key role in the value chain. The high cost and time shares of assembly in overall production reveal considerable potential for rationalisation, from assembly planning and preparation to assembly execution. For this reason, match is developing collaborative assembly systems and processes.
    Team: Sebastian Blankemeyer
    Year: 2015

Institute of Assembly Technology and Robotics

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