HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—Aerobotix, an AS9100-certified FANUC robotics integrator for the aerospace and defense industries, today officially congratulated key partner Compass Technology Group (CTG) on winning the top Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Award (DMTAA). CTG received the award at the recent Defense Manufacturing Conference (DMC). Atlanta-based CTG provides cutting-edge radio frequency (RF) materials measurement equipment. CTG engaged Aerobotix in building its award-winning project – an adaptive radome diagnostic system. The project also represents the first use of a collaborative mobile robot in Air Force maintenance depots.

The mobile robot manipulates an Advanced Microwave Mapping Probe (AMMP). CTG engineers developed the AMMP under the Air Force’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The system uses microwave signals to non-destructively evaluate (NDE) aircraft radomes. It identifies defects such as delamination or water ingress.

Meanwhile, Aerobotix designed and built a system using a FANUC CRX-10iA collaborative robot. The robot rides on a custom Automated Guided Vehicle. It uses LiDAR to scan the work zone for safe navigation. The robot then finds and orients to the part. It adjusts the scanning paths and executes the detailed part analysis.

“This dramatic technology leap enables us to deploy laboratory precision in an Air Force manufacturing environment,” said Dr. John Schultz, Chief Scientist at CTG. “Combining our sensors and algorithms with Aerobotix’s automation system has transformed our capabilities. For instance, we moved from literally tapping a penny while listening for substrate damage to quantifying microwave performance with self-navigating LiDAR on a mobile base with a FANUC collaborative robot. Ultimately, our robotic microwave NDE system will put better parts back in the air, quicker and at less cost.”

The annual DMTA Awards were established in 1999. They recognize teams comprising government, industry and academia employees responsible for outstanding projects in manufacturing technology. These projects must demonstrate technical accomplishments. Furthermore, they must also provide a responsive world-class manufacturing capability. This capability must affordably meet the warfighter’s needs throughout the defense acquisition lifecycle.

“People perhaps know Aerobotix best for robotic painting, but this award for our work with CTG highlights our expertise in metrology and navigation systems,” added Tuttle. “In fact, we serve as a reliable automation integrator for the aerospace industry. Moving forward, we look forward to partnering with other companies on future projects.”

About Aerobotix

Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Aerobotix is an innovative leader in robotic solutions for the aerospace and defense industries. The company specializes in the creation of cutting-edge automated robotic solutions for high-value, high-precision components, aircraft, and vehicles. Aerobotix has more than 155 robotic systems installed in the U.S. and abroad, providing exceptional results and savings for our clients.