Inverse kinematics solution and posture optimization of a new redundant hybrid automatic fastening system for aircraft assembly

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to use the redundancy of a new hybrid automatic fastening system (HAFS) for aircraft assembly in the best way. Design/methodology/approach First, the kinematic model of HAFS is divided into three sub-models, which are the upper/lower tool and parallel robot. With the geometric coordination relationship, a comprehensive kinematic model of the HAFS is built by mathematically assembling the sub-models based on the DH method. Then, a novel master-slave decoupling strategy for inverse kinematics solution is proposed. With the combination of the minimum energy consumption and the comfortable configuration, a multi-objective redundancy resolution method is developed to optimize the fastening configuration of the HAFS, which keep the HAFS away from the joint-limits and collision avoiding in the aircraft panel assembly process. Findings An efficient multi-objective posture optimization algorithm to use the redundancy in the best way is obtained. Simulation and an experiment are used to demonstrate the correctness of the proposed method. Moreover, the position and orientation errors of the drilling holes are within 0.222 mm and 0.356 degrees, which are accurate enough for the automatic fastening in aircraft manufacturing. Originality/value This paper proposes a comprehensive kinematic model and a novel decoupling strategy for inverse kinematic solution of the HAFS, which provides a reference to utilize the redundancy in the best way for a hybrid machine with redundant function.