Gilbert Ossbahr

Papers

Total Citations

183

H-Index

About

Gilbert Ossbahr is a leading figure in the field of industrial automation, with a specific focus on cost-efficient and flexible manufacturing solutions for the aerospace industry. His research centers on the integration of high-bandwidth force feedback with standard industrial robots to overcome the inherent limitations of robotic positional accuracy and material variability. Ossbahr’s major contribution is the development of "Lean Automation" principles, demonstrating how off-the-shelf robots and PC-based controls can be adapted for high-precision tasks traditionally requiring expensive, dedicated machinery. His seminal 2009 paper on cost-efficient drilling, which has garnered 153 citations, is a cornerstone of this work, proving that force feedback can enable robots to handle complex assembly tasks like drilling and fastening on composite aircraft structures. This approach directly addresses the challenges of geometry variations in composite manufacturing, making automation more accessible. With over 180 total citations, Ossbahr’s research has been instrumental in advancing low-cost, flexible automation for aircraft assembly, bridging the gap between traditional heavy automation and manual labor.