SHIPBUILDING: FITTING PIPE DEMO
ABOUT THE FITTING PIPE DEMO:
PENELOPE offers a fully integrated, end-to-end solution for automated pipe fitting assembly. The process begins with onsite measurement of flange pairs to capture their precise position and orientation. This data is used to generate rule-based CAD/CAM designs for the fitting pipes, which are then assembled using a robotic cell. The demonstrator setup includes two robots: an industrial robot for positioning the end flange and a collaborative robot (cobot) on a mobile base that assists with placing the pipe elements. The starting flange is held by a static pedestal, providing support during assembly. This innovative approach demonstrates that complex pipe assembly can be performed entirely off-site, offering a flexible and efficient alternative to traditional shipyard methods.
MAIN FEATURES OF THE DEMO
Digitalization and automation: Reducing ship traffic and saving time.
Precision and accuracy: Assembly of a fitting
pipe as it is created by the program.
Safety: Possibility for workers to work in a safer environment.
COLLABORATION AMONG PARTNERS
RESULTS
This demonstration video presents a key use case from the PeneloPe Project—the automated fitting of large-scale pipes using a robotic work cell integrated with a digital twin and real-time control systems.
The robotic system showcased consists of a high-payload manipulator equipped with specialized end-effectors designed for handling and precisely positioning cylindrical pipe sections. Throughout the demo, the robot executes multi-step operations, including:
Gripping and lifting pipe segments from storage or feed stations.
Positioning and orienting the segments based on CAD-derived geometry.
Aligning interfaces between pipe sections with high precision to prepare for subsequent joining operations (e.g., welding or mechanical coupling).
This scenario reflects PeneloPe’s broader goal of enabling zero-defect manufacturing in large-scale, one-of-a-kind production environments such as shipbuilding, offshore structures, and energy infrastructure. The system demonstrates how advanced robotics, simulation, and quality control tools can be integrated into a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing ecosystem.
DEVELOPER
