Flying into the Future: Using Drones for High-Precision Manufacturing Inspections

This project focuses on the integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in advanced manufacturing processes, specifically for high-precision surface measurements. In many high-value industries, precise metrology is essential for enhancing production quality and efficiency. Traditional measurement technologies, while accurate, are stationary and not easily scalable for complex tasks, thus leading to time-consuming and labor-intensive processes.

The proposed solution is the utilization of UAVs for sensor deployment and reconfiguration. UAVs offer a unique advantage as they can traverse airspaces to deliver sensors to hard-to-reach locations, transforming the way measurements are conducted in manufacturing environments. Although the indoor use of UAVs has shown promise for payload carrying and process monitoring, their full integration into manufacturing processes for high-precision measurements remains a challenge.

A significant aspect of this challenge lies in UAV path planning for inspecting large immovable objects within the manufacturing environment. This involves consideration of the inspection target's geometry and the surrounding environment to ensure timely completion of inspection tasks. Advanced sensors and algorithms are needed for the UAV to perceive its surroundings and accurately recognize the inspection target and environment.

Furthermore, if the UAV is equipped with an actuator network for precise sensor positioning, the path-planning algorithm will need to consider this for accurate sensor positioning and high-precision inspection. The ultimate goal is to integrate UAV inspection into the manufacturing process seamlessly, allowing for real-time tracking of manufacturing errors and optimizing sequential operations. This project thus presents a stimulating opportunity for research into UAV technology and AI algorithms within the context of advanced manufacturing.