Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Fives is a multinational network of over 100 companies, with a total of 8,400 employees. Fives Liné Machinesx000D
(FLM), one of these companies, is based in Granby and manufactures gantry-style machine tool solutions forx000D
the aerospace, rail and heavy equipment industries. Last year, FLM launched the Liné Machines Robotics linex000D
of custom-made solutions focusing on seven core processes: milling, trimming and drilling; deburring andx000D
polishing; cleaning and surfacing; forming inspection and scanning; automation, tooling and part holding; andx000D
peripheral equipment for machine tools.x000D
FLM is interested in acquiring expertise in the use of industrial robots for machining purposes. The companyx000D
is particularly interested in using Fanuc's F-200iB hexapod as a fixture for holding a workpiece that is beingx000D
machined. However, since FLM is focusing on the aerospace sector, it needs a hexapod that can position itsx000D
mobile platform with high absolute accuracy. Unfortunately, neither Fanuc, nor any other service provided,x000D
offers means for increasing the accuracy of a hexapod.x000D
The main objective of this project is to develop a method for improving the accuracy of Fanuc's F-200iBx000D
hexapod, by calibrating it and modelling its stiffness. A secondary objective will be to assess the possibility ofx000D
using an array of such hexapods as means for flexible fixturing.