Robotic Machining: Status, Challenges and Future Trends

Robotic machining is considered a viable replacement for large, fixed single-process machines like computer numerical control (CNC) machining and drilling units. Robotic machining is attracting intensive research interests in recent years due to its high efficiency, flexibility, and low cost. However, its industrial adoption is still extremely limited. This paper systematically reviewed the status of major robotic machining processes, including milling, drilling, polishing, and finishing. The key focus was to identify the challenges of robotics machining that derive from low stiffness, poor positional accuracy, and current approaches to over these challenges. The paper concluded with future research trends and the potential of robotic machining.