Mobile Robotic Automatic Drilling System – RDS500
Mobile robotic drilling and countersinking for large aircraft assemblies.
The RDS500 is an integrated mobile robotic drilling system for high-efficiency, high-quality drilling and countersinking of large aerospace components. With AGV-based mobility, online measurement and automated process control, it supports precise hole-making directly at large structural assemblies.
Siemens and Heidenhain CNC control options.
Siemens CNC
Heidenhain CNC
Configured by Application
Mobile automatic hole-making for large aerospace structures.
The RDS500 combines a mobile platform, heavy-load robot, drilling end effector, online measurement and process software in one automated system. It is designed for flexible drilling workflows where large aircraft components cannot easily be moved to a fixed drilling station.
AGV-Based Robotic Platform
The mobile platform enables the drilling system to move to the component, supporting flexible production layouts and large assembly environments.
RDS500
Mobile robotic system
≤ ±5 mm
PGV positioning accuracy
Omnidirectional
Movement and rotation
Automated Drilling & Countersinking
The system supports automated drilling and countersinking with online measurement, normal alignment and closed-loop countersink depth control for stable hole quality.
H9
Hole diameter accuracy
0–0.05 mm
Countersink depth accuracy
≤ ±0.5°
Hole normal deviation
Large Working Range
A heavy-load 6-axis robot with additional lifting axis provides the working range needed for large aircraft components and complex assembly positions.
500 kg
Robot payload
2,826 mm
Maximum robot reach
1,700 mm
Additional lifting axis
Integrated Tool Management
Tool management, process database, tool setting and trial cutting support automated workflows and help simplify daily operation.
20 tools
Disc-type tool magazine
HSK-E40
Tool interface
No robot programming
Parameter-based operation
Higher Drilling Quality
Automatic normal alignment, online measurement and precision drilling technology support more consistent hole diameter, countersink depth and surface quality compared with manual drilling.
Higher Efficiency
Continuous robotic operation, simplified process flow and automatic tool handling help shorten drilling workflows and increase production efficiency.
Lower Labor Dependency
Mobile robotic drilling reduces manual drilling effort, auxiliary work and operator dependency in large aircraft assembly processes.
Flexible Production Integration
The mobile platform allows the system to be integrated into large assembly areas, flexible production lines and project-specific aerospace manufacturing workflows.
Technical highlights of the RDS500.
The table below summarizes the key technical data of the RDS500, including supported materials, drilling diameter, accuracy values, robot data, mobile platform positioning and tool magazine configuration.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | RDS500 |
| Machine type | Mobile Robotic Automatic Drilling System |
| Process | Robotic drilling and countersinking |
| Application focus | High-efficiency, high-quality drilling and countersinking of aircraft components and large aerospace assemblies |
| Supported materials | Composites, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy |
| Max. drilling diameter | Aluminum / composites: φ14 mm; titanium alloy: φ8 mm |
| Hole diameter accuracy | H9 |
| Countersink depth accuracy | 0–0.05 mm |
| Hole normal deviation | ≤ ±0.5° |
| Datum hole alignment accuracy | ±0.1 mm |
| Continuous drilling efficiency | ≥6 holes/min for aluminum and composites; ≥3 holes/min for titanium alloy |
| System footprint | 13.56 m² |
| Robot configuration | KUKA 6-axis robot |
| Robot payload | 500 kg |
| Max. robot reach | 2,826 mm |
| Additional lifting axis | 1,700 mm |
| Positioning accuracy after robot upgrade | Absolute positioning accuracy ≤ ±0.3 mm; repeatability ≤ ±0.08 mm |
| Tool magazine type | Disc-type tool magazine |
| Tool magazine capacity | 20 tools |
| Tool interface | HSK-E40 |
| Mobile platform movement | Omnidirectional movement and in-place rotation; automatic navigation and manual control |
| Mobile platform positioning | PGV visual positioning, ≤ ±5 mm |
| Safety functions | Obstacle detection, multi-level deceleration, automatic braking and emergency stop |
| Operation concept | Graphical interface; parameter-based operation without robot programming |
| Software | Offline programming and simulation software; host computer software |
| Configuration | Project-specific / customized |
Impressions from mobile robotic drilling in aerospace assembly.
This gallery presents a mixed visual selection from the RDS500 system, including mobile robot platform views, drilling end-effector details, aircraft assembly environments, positioning technology and process-related impressions. The images are not separated by configuration and provide a broader impression of the system as a whole.
Related machines in this series.
The Aerospace Assembly Series combines automated joining and drilling technologies for large structural components. While the RDS500 focuses on mobile robotic drilling, the RDS210 & RDS300 series supports stationary robotic drilling workflows and the Friction Stir Welding Equipment supports automated joining processes.
Robotic Drilling System – RDS210 & RDS300
Robotic drilling system for automated hole-making in aerospace assembly, designed to support repeatable drilling, positioning and process reliability on large structural components.
Friction Stir Welding Equipment
Automated friction stir welding equipment for large lightweight structures, tank components and demanding aerospace assemblies.
Need a mobile robotic drilling solution?
Talk to TOPNC about component size, material, drilling pattern, countersinking requirements, assembly layout and automation goals. Based on your workflow, we can help define the right RDS500 concept for your production environment.