Thorsten Schueppstuhl

Papers

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About

Thorsten Schueppstuhl is a leading figure in industrial robotics and automation, with a focused expertise in applying robotic systems to the aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector. His research is dedicated to replacing manual, knowledge-intensive processes with precise, automated solutions for critical aircraft inspection and repair. A cornerstone of his work is the development of a robot-guided white light interferometry system for crack inspection on airplane engine components. This innovation directly addresses the limitations of the traditional, manual Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) method, offering a more reliable and automated approach to detecting structural flaws. His most cited paper on this topic (2014, 8 citations) has established a new state of the art for non-destructive testing in MRO. Schueppstuhl has also pioneered the use of small industrial robots for on-aircraft repair, specifically for composite scarfing. By systematically comparing different kinematics, he demonstrated that compact robots are a competitive solution for precise milling tasks, overcoming their inherent stiffness limitations. His work is instrumental in modernizing aircraft maintenance, driving efficiency, safety, and reliability in a field where manual skill has long been the standard.