Smart Collaborative Robotics for Adaptive Manufacturing Systems

Comau has developed two collaborative robotic systems for the European Union’s CONVERGING initiative, which focuses on smart, reconfigurable, human-centric production. The solutions target additive manufacturing and aerospace maintenance, where precision, safety, and adaptability are critical.

Advancing Reconfigurable Production Systems
The CONVERGING project is an EU research initiative aimed at creating production environments that can adapt to variable demand while integrating collaborative robots, autonomous guided vehicles, artificial intelligence and human operators. These systems are designed to perceive their surroundings, make decisions, and support flexible workflows—key elements for industries seeking traceable, safe and configurable digital supply chain operations.

During the project review on 5 November at the Teaching Factory Competence Center in Patras, Greece, Comau presented two prototypes developed at its Turin headquarters. The presentation was attended by project partners and representatives of the European Commission, including the project officer and two reviewers.

Collaborative Post-Processing for Additive Manufacturing
The first deliverable is a medium-payload MyCo collaborative robot engineered for post-processing additively manufactured components. This task requires repeatable accuracy, force control and adaptation to variable part geometries. The system combines human-safe operation with the precision needed for industrial finishing processes, supporting applications in metal additive manufacturing, tooling and component development.

By integrating real-time sensing and adjustable motion control, the robot can handle parts collaboratively without external safety fencing, enabling closer operator interaction and more flexible workstation layouts.

Remote Robotic Inspection for Aerospace Structures
The second prototype addresses a long-standing aerospace maintenance requirement: non-invasive inspection of aircraft wings. Traditionally performed manually, the process demands consistent positioning, controlled contact and full-surface coverage. Comau developed a remote inspection robot within the Aeronautics Open Pilot Line of the CONVERGING project to automate these tasks.

Built around the 6-axis medium-payload MyCo cobot, the system incorporates advanced kinematics for precise tool trajectory control, lightweight mechanical structures suited for aircraft surfaces and remote-operation interfaces. These features enable more accurate inspection, reduced execution time and improved operator safety, contributing to overall optimization of the aircraft maintenance lifecycle.

www.comau.com