Flexible assembly robotics for self-optimizing production

This paper provides an overview of the research results on self-optimizing production systems. Self-optimization strategies developed for assembly systems will be presented focusing on the enhancement of flexibility of assembly processes through a holistic approach regarding product-process-interdependencies. Key elements of the research like automation-friendly product and process design as well as highly-flexible automation equipment and control will be pointed out. This paper then draws a conclusion from that work and derives future research topics for making self-optimizing assembly systems a technology ready to be transferred to industry. The authors identified cooperation technologies, sensor-integration and sensor-guidance as well as meta-level task specification as relevant enablers for self-optimization in assembly systems as they further increase flexibility, autonomy, and cognition --- the pre-requisites for self-optimization. Concept approaches will be described.