Researchers published a review on robotic and intelligent technologies in composite material inspection

Researchers have provided a comprehensive analysis of robotic technologies and intelligent methods used for inspecting composite materials. The review addresses the growing use of composite materials in industries like aerospace and automotive, highlighting the challenges of ensuring material performance and integrity. Published in Robot Learning, this work published in Robot Learning holds large potential to help interested readers gain a deeper understanding of robotic and intelligent technologies applied to composite material inspection.

There are significant issues with maintaining the material's performance and integrity as a result of the growing use of composite materials in industries like aerospace and automotive. Advanced inspection methods—in particular, robotic intelligence technologies—have become attractive choices due to their automated, precise, and efficient inspection capabilities. Thus, researchers from University of Liverpool and Bristol Robotics Lab provide a comprehensive review of the technology integration of robotics and detection in composites.

Because of their superior performance, composite materials have found extensive use in upscale manufacturing sectors including the automotive and aircraft industries. However, inspection systems face substantial problems due to their varied manufacturing processes and unique geometries. Conventional techniques like X-ray imaging, infrared thermography, and ultrasonic testing work well in some situations but are ineffective and not automated enough to satisfy the needs of contemporary companies since they frequently rely too much on manual labour. Advanced non-destructive testing techniques combined with robotic and intelligent control technologies have pushed composite material inspection in the direction of automation and intelligence, providing new ways to guarantee the quality of intricate constructions.

For identifying delamination, voids, and fibre breaks in multilayer composite materials, wave-based inspection methods—like ultrasonic testing—are exceptional due to their high sensitivity, robust penetration, and wide defect coverage. Nevertheless, these techniques have drawbacks when handling intricate internal geometries, which could result in inaccurate results. Their automation potential is further limited by their dependence on coupling media and exact calibration requirements. On the other hand, non-contact optical techniques such as infrared thermography allow for high-precision surface flaw identification, offer quick reactions, and are therefore ideal for robotic automation. However, these methods are susceptible to external factors like surface characteristics or temperature variations. Internal defect detection is a strong suit for radiation-based methods, such as CT scans and X-rays, which provide unmatched resolution and high-precision 3D imaging. However, their integration with robotic systems and practical use are restricted by their high costs and strict safety regulations.

In addition to these methods, methods based on vision, force, and touch offer supplementary abilities for assessing the calibre of composite materials. While force and tactile sensing technologies offer accurate input on contact pressure, material deformation, surface roughness, and micro-flaws, vision techniques provide a cost-effective and efficient way to detect surface defects. When combined with robotic devices, these techniques work well, allowing for accurate scanning of intricate surfaces and ongoing monitoring.

Every technology exhibits distinct advantages in various application scenarios when seen through the lens of robotic integration. The precision and non-contact nature of wave-based and optical techniques make them ideal for automation. Despite providing outstanding resolution, radiation-based methods are constrained by their high expense and safety issues. Real-time feedback and efficiency are superior with vision, force, and tactile approaches; tactile and vision techniques are especially simple to incorporate into robotic systems for continuous detection jobs.

Looking ahead, the integration and improvement of these technologies will be key to the future of composite material inspection. Inspection systems can attain greater sensitivity, adaptability, and automation levels by integrating multi-modal sensor systems, sophisticated control techniques, and intelligent algorithms. To guarantee the best possible flaw identification in composite materials, the right inspection technique must be chosen after carefully weighing aspects including sensitivity, penetration depth, cost, safety, and automation potential. A new era of efficiency and accuracy for composite material inspection is being ushered in by the combination of robotic technology and intelligent inspection techniques, offering strong assistance for quality assurance in sectors including the manufacturing of automobiles and airplanes.

This paper ” Robotic and intelligent technologies in composite material inspection: a review” was published in Robot Learning.

Li X, Lu Z, Zeng C. Robotic and intelligent technologies in composite material inspection: a review. Robot Learn. 2024(1):0005, https://doi.org/10.55092/rl20240005.