A backward-oriented approach for offline programming of complex manufacturing tasks

The automation of production processes with large process variability and a low batch size can be very difficult and non-economic. Using the example of manufacturing carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRP) which represents a complex, currently hardly automated process, we present a backward-oriented approach for offline programming of complex manufacturing tasks. We focus on an automatic process definition which is supported by expert knowledge where required. Due to domain specific software modules, user interaction is intuitive and tailored to CFRP experts. This leads to significant time-savings compared to currently used teach-in approaches. Moreover, we introduce an extensible offline programming platform which is able to meet the high requirements of CFRP manufacturing.