• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (10): 395-413.doi: 10.3901/JME.2025.10.395

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Research Progress on Contact-rich Automated Assembly Methods:Learning Robotic Assembly Contact Force Control Skills

LI Mingfu1,2,3, WANG Feihong1, ZHU Lingfeng1, LI Xiang1, LEI Gaopan1,2, LIU Yi1,2, LI Linling4, HOU Yukui5, HU Yuliang6   

  1. 1. School of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105;
    2. Engineering Research Center of Complex Tracks Processing Technology and Equipment of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan 411105;
    3. Key Laboratory of Welding Robot and Application Technology of Hunan Province, Xiangtan 411105;
    4. Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, Beijing 100094;
    5. Qian Xuesen Laboratory of Space Technology of China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing 100094;
    6. Guangdong Shunde Weasi Robot Co., Ltd., Foshan 528300
  • Received:2024-06-01 Revised:2024-11-11 Published:2025-07-12

Abstract: Due to the combined effects of manufacturing errors, positioning errors, contact deformations, and inconsistent surface qualities, the assembly contact forces exhibit random disturbances, leading to issues such as jamming, non-compliance with process requirements, and even component damage in contact-rich automated assembly. Recent research has shown that employing learning-based approaches for assembly contact control is one of the most effective strategies to address contact-rich automated assembly problems. Considering the significant progress made by reinforcement learning methods in contact-rich robotic assembly, this paper analyzes and statistically characterizes assembly features with contact-rich characteristics in the field of robotic automated assembly. It proposes discriminative indicators for identifying contact-rich assembly situations. Through an analysis of relevant literature in the field, the methods for learning contact force control in robotic automated assembly are categorized into three main types:reinforcement learning-based contact control methods, reward-engineered contact control methods, and simulation-to-reality contact control methods. Each of these categories is reviewed and analyzed. Finally, an analysis and outlook on the future development trends of learning contact-rich robotic automated assembly control skills is provided.

Key words: robot assembly, automatic assembly, contact-rich, contact force adjustment skills learning, reinforcement learning

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