Ed Feikert

Papers

Total Citations

109

H-Index

About

Ed Feikert is a pioneering figure in aerospace manufacturing robotics, best known for his transformative work in automated drilling systems for aircraft assembly. His key research areas center on robotic end-effector design, precision machining, and industrial automation for large-scale aerospace structures. Feikert's most significant contribution is the development of the ONCE (ONe-sided Cell End effector) Robotic Drilling System, detailed in his highly cited 2002 paper (109 citations). This system ingeniously repurposed a mass-produced, high-capacity industrial robot as the motion platform for an automated drilling, countersinking, and hole inspection machine. The ONCE system was specifically engineered for the critical skin-to-substructure join on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet wing trailing edge, addressing a complex aerospace manufacturing challenge. By enabling one-sided access and precise, repeatable hole quality, Feikert's work dramatically improved assembly efficiency and reduced manual labor in defense aircraft production. His innovations have had lasting impact on robotic automation in aerospace, influencing subsequent designs for flexible, high-precision manufacturing cells. Feikert's legacy lies in bridging the gap between industrial robotics and the stringent quality demands of aerospace assembly.