Development and Application of an Automation System for Spacecraft Fastener Assembly

Abstract

According to the characteristics of single small batch and the demand for the automatic installation of spacecraft fasteners, a set of automatic installation system for spacecraft fasteners is developed. This system can independently complete a series of actions, such as fastener grabbing, installation positioning, tightening, measuring force and so on. The screw separating mechanism realizes the single screw sorting and automatically conveys the screw to the installation position by compressed air blowing, the screw is tightened at the installation position by pneumatic sliding table, use electric torque gun to screw in and tighten with constant torque, through the electric torque gun controller to achieve the tightening torque data back collection. Automatic installation test was carried out and the actual tightening torque control precision met the requirements of the torque control precision of the spacecraft fastener installation.