Thomas M. Murray

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Thomas M. Murray is a leading researcher in aerospace manufacturing automation, specializing in robotic assembly of flexible aircraft structures. His work addresses critical industry challenges—namely, the poor positional accuracy of industrial robots and manufacturing variability in composite parts—by pioneering force-controlled assembly techniques. In his most-cited paper (2011, 10 citations), Murray demonstrates how force control can overcome these limitations, enabling robots to handle compliant components with precision. His subsequent study (2011, 7 citations) extends this approach to the assembly of a compliant rib, showcasing a practical solution for automating processes traditionally reliant on dedicated, inflexible tooling. Together, these contributions have laid foundational methods for integrating standard industrial robots into high-stakes aerospace production, reducing costs and increasing flexibility. Murray’s work is particularly notable for its experimental validation, bridging the gap between theoretical robotics and real-world manufacturing constraints. With a citation impact that underscores its relevance to both academia and industry, his research continues to influence the development of adaptive, force-sensitive automation systems for next-generation aircraft assembly.