Robotics and Mechatronics

In the Robotics and Mechatronics group team, we research, develop and optimize robotic systems and automation processes. The focus is on parallel, serial and hybrid industrial robots and autonomous mobile platforms (AGVs). Basic research topics, for example on redundant systems, reconfigurable robots or the use of flexure hinges in robotics, are researched within the scope of doctoral projects and publicly funded projects. We work on application-oriented research questions in direct cooperation with robot manufacturers, system suppliers and end users. Current issues in the area of Industry 4.0 and networked automation are at the forefront of research activities within the RWTH Cluster of Excellence "Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries".
In teaching, the IGMR together with the International Academy of the RWTH Aachen offers the international master program "Robotic Systems Engineering". The direct contact to the students in the course "Robotic Systems" and "Advanced Robotic Kinematics and Dynamics" forms the basis for numerous theses that are supervised in research and industry.

In modeling and control of existing robotic systems, the understanding of the system behavior and the directly related improvement of the technical performance are the focus. Through the kinematic and dynamic analysis, we are for example able to optimize the workspace and the motion- and in particular vibration-behavior. In addition, the calibration and calculation of stiffness and tolerances provide significantly increased accuracy for robotic systems. Knowledge of system behavior is also used, for example, in dynamic model based control or in the design and optimization of control parameters.

Individual and application-specific handling systems require a basic methodology for the development, design and validation of hardware and functionality. Using the established methods of structural selection and dimensional synthesis in conjunction with kinematic and dynamic analysis, we develop and dimension handling-systems with a specific property profile, for example, a required pick and place time in the specified workspace. In addition to the preliminary design, development and design, the focus is also on the implementation of test benches, the experimental procedures and the metrological validation of the system properties.