Parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assembly

Abstract Assembling large, heavy space segments presents a significant challenge in aerospace engine production. Rigid collisions often occur during the docking process, impacting the precision and quality of engine assembly. Traditional manual docking depends on workers’ experience to prevent colli...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Deyuan Sun, Ruihan Xu, Junyi Wang, Zhigang Xu, Runan Cao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89777-5
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849715651312091136
author Deyuan Sun
Ruihan Xu
Junyi Wang
Zhigang Xu
Runan Cao
author_facet Deyuan Sun
Ruihan Xu
Junyi Wang
Zhigang Xu
Runan Cao
author_sort Deyuan Sun
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Assembling large, heavy space segments presents a significant challenge in aerospace engine production. Rigid collisions often occur during the docking process, impacting the precision and quality of engine assembly. Traditional manual docking depends on workers’ experience to prevent collisions, but it is labor-intensive and low in productivity, making it impractical. Parallel robots, known for their high precision and heavy load capacity, are widely used in precision assembly under heavy load conditions. Therefore, automated docking methods using parallel robots capable of avoiding rigid collisions have emerged as an excellent solution to these issues. This paper presents a framework for easy implementation in practical production. The Stewart parallel robot facilitates automatic docking of heavy aerospace components without rigid collisions. Fractional-order variable damping admittance control is proposed, allowing the robot to dynamically adjust the assembly trajectory based on real-time interaction forces, thus preventing rigid collisions during docking. Additionally, adaptive robust sliding mode control is developed, enhancing the robot’s tracking accuracy for desired poses and making it suitable for high-precision assembly.
format Article
id doaj-art-60cb889e2e9a41d0be9a514a21ef403b
institution DOAJ
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-60cb889e2e9a41d0be9a514a21ef403b2025-08-20T03:13:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-89777-5Parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assemblyDeyuan Sun0Ruihan Xu1Junyi Wang2Zhigang Xu3Runan Cao4Huazhong University of Science and TechnologySchool of Mechanical Engineering, University of New South WalesChinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang Institute of AutomationChinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang Institute of AutomationChinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang Institute of AutomationAbstract Assembling large, heavy space segments presents a significant challenge in aerospace engine production. Rigid collisions often occur during the docking process, impacting the precision and quality of engine assembly. Traditional manual docking depends on workers’ experience to prevent collisions, but it is labor-intensive and low in productivity, making it impractical. Parallel robots, known for their high precision and heavy load capacity, are widely used in precision assembly under heavy load conditions. Therefore, automated docking methods using parallel robots capable of avoiding rigid collisions have emerged as an excellent solution to these issues. This paper presents a framework for easy implementation in practical production. The Stewart parallel robot facilitates automatic docking of heavy aerospace components without rigid collisions. Fractional-order variable damping admittance control is proposed, allowing the robot to dynamically adjust the assembly trajectory based on real-time interaction forces, thus preventing rigid collisions during docking. Additionally, adaptive robust sliding mode control is developed, enhancing the robot’s tracking accuracy for desired poses and making it suitable for high-precision assembly.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89777-5Segment dockingStewart parallel robotAdmittance controlRobust controlSliding control
spellingShingle Deyuan Sun
Ruihan Xu
Junyi Wang
Zhigang Xu
Runan Cao
Parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assembly
Scientific Reports
Segment docking
Stewart parallel robot
Admittance control
Robust control
Sliding control
title Parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assembly
title_full Parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assembly
title_fullStr Parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assembly
title_full_unstemmed Parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assembly
title_short Parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assembly
title_sort parallel robotic automated docking method for realizing space segment assembly
topic Segment docking
Stewart parallel robot
Admittance control
Robust control
Sliding control
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89777-5
work_keys_str_mv AT deyuansun parallelroboticautomateddockingmethodforrealizingspacesegmentassembly
AT ruihanxu parallelroboticautomateddockingmethodforrealizingspacesegmentassembly
AT junyiwang parallelroboticautomateddockingmethodforrealizingspacesegmentassembly
AT zhigangxu parallelroboticautomateddockingmethodforrealizingspacesegmentassembly
AT runancao parallelroboticautomateddockingmethodforrealizingspacesegmentassembly