Contact Professor Phil Webb
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 758219
- Email: p.f.webb@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
Areas of expertise
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Industrial Automation
Background
Phil moved to Cranfield in 2009 and holds the Royal Academy of Engineering and Airbus Chair in Aero-structure Design. He was previously an Associate Professor and the head of the Robotics Research Group at the University of Nottingham.
For the last 13 years Phil has been conducting research into the application of automation to aircraft and aero-engine structural assembly. During this time he has worked with most of the world's leading aerospace companies. He has completed many research projects including fuselage assembly, robotic riveting, engine structural assembly, wing and pylon systems installation and robotic plasma welding and has obtained significant research funding from Industry, EPSRC and the European Framework programmes. His other research interests are the application and optimisation of Parallel Kinematic Machines within aerospace manufacturing and mobile robotics.
Phil is a member of the Council of the British Automation and Robotics Association and represents the UK on the General Assembly of the International Federation of Robotics. He is also a member of the SAE Automated Assembly and Fastening Committee.
Current activities
Phil is the head of the Integrated Systems Department and leads the Aero-structure Assembly and Systems Installation Research Group and is currently leading a number of projects on aero-structure assembly and aircraft systems installation. As the Deputy Director of the EPSRC Centre in Intelligent Automation is involved in a significant number of projects on advanced automation and especially human collaborative automation and robotics.
Clients
- Airbus SE
- Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC
- BAE Systems PLC
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Asif S & Webb P. (2023). Managing Delays for Realtime Error Correction and Compensation of an Industrial Robot in an Open Network. Machines, 11(9)
- You C, Yasaee M, He S, Yang D, Xu Y, .... (2022). Identification of the key design inputs for the FEM-based preliminary sizing and mass estimation of a civil aircraft wing box structure. Aerospace Science and Technology, 121(February)
- Story M, Webb P, Fletcher SR, Tang G, Jaksic C, .... (2022). Do Speed and Proximity Affect Human-Robot Collaboration with an Industrial Robot Arm?. International Journal of Social Robotics, 14(4)
- Qin Q, Dayyani I & Webb P. (2022). Structural Mechanics of cylindrical fish-cell zero Poisson’s ratio metamaterials. Composite Structures, 289(June)
- Asif S & Webb P. (2022). Realtime Calibration of an Industrial Robot. Applied System Innovation, 5(5)
- Asif S & Webb P. (2021). Kinematics Analysis of 6-DoF Articulated Robot with Spherical Wrist. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2021
- Ramji A, Xu Y, Grasso M, Yasaee M & Webb P. (2021). Effect of interfacial fibre orientation and PPS veil density on delamination resistance of 5HS woven CFRP laminates under mode II loading. Composites Science and Technology, 207(May)
- Ramji A, Xu Y, Yasaee M, Grasso M & Webb P. (2021). Influence of veil interleave distribution on the delamination resistance of cross-ply CFRP laminates under low velocity impact. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 157(November)
- Story M, Jaksic C, Fletcher SR, Webb P, Tang G, .... (2021). Evaluating the use of human aware navigation in industrial robot arms. Paladyn, Journal of Behavioral Robotics, 12(1)
- Ramji A, Xu Y, Yasaee M, Grasso M & Webb P. (2020). Delamination migration in CFRP laminates under mode I loading. Composites Science and Technology, 190
- Tang G, Webb P & Thrower J. (2019). The development and evaluation of Robot Light Skin: A novel robot signalling system to improve communication in industrial human–robot collaboration. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 56
- Coladas Mato P, Webb P, Xu Y, Graham D, Portsmore A, .... (2019). Enhanced bondline thickness analysis for non-rigid airframe structural assemblies. Aerospace Science and Technology, 91
- Rai V, Ghasemnejad H, Watson JW, Gonzalez-Domingo JA & Webb PF. (2019). Developed trigger mechanisms to improve crush force efficiency of aluminium tubes. Engineering Structures, 199
- Sonmez MB, Ghasemnejad H, Kamran H & Webb P. (2019). Transverse Impact Response Analysis of Graphene Panels: Impact Limits. Open Journal of Composite Materials, 09(02)
- Tiwari A, Webb P & Prabhu V. (2018). Editorial for the Special Issue on Manufacturing Informatics for Intelligent Automation. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 232(1)
- Tang G & Webb P. (2018). The Design and Evaluation of an Ergonomic Contactless Gesture Control System for Industrial Robots. Journal of Robotics, 2018
- Charalambous G, Fletcher SR & Webb P. (2017). The development of a Human Factors Readiness Level tool for implementing industrial human-robot collaboration. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 91(5-8)
- Prabhu VA, Song B, Thrower J, Tiwari A & Webb P. (2016). Digitisation of a moving assembly operation using multiple depth imaging sensors. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 85(1-4)
- Charalambous G, Fletcher S & Webb P. (2016). The Development of a Scale to Evaluate Trust in Industrial Human-robot Collaboration. International Journal of Social Robotics, 8(2)
- Judt D, Forster K, Lockett H, Lawson C & Webb P. (2016). Aircraft Wing Build Philosophy Change through System Pre-Equipping of Major Components. SAE International Journal of Aerospace, 9(1)
- Tang G, Asif S & Webb P. (2015). The integration of contactless static pose recognition and dynamic hand motion tracking control system for industrial human and robot collaboration. Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 42(5)
- Webb P, Asif S, Hogger S, Kosche T & Kiernan P. (2015). Advanced flexible automation cell control for aerospace manufacturing. Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, 87(2)
- Jones MB, Webb PF, Summers MD, Baguley P & Valerdi R. (2015). A cost–benefit framework for assessing advanced manufacturing technology development: A case study. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 229(9)
- Charalambous G, Fletcher S & Webb P. (2015). Identifying the key organisational human factors for introducing human-robot collaboration in industry: an exploratory study. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 81(9-12)
- To M & Webb P. (2012). An improved kinematic model for calibration of serial robots having closed-chain mechanisms. Robotica, 30(6)
- Evans L, Lohse N, Tan KH, Webb P & Summers M. (2012). Justification for the selection of manufacturing technologies: a fuzzy-decision-tree-based approach. International Journal of Production Research, 50(23)
- McKeown C & Webb P. (2011). A reactive reconfigurable tool for aerospace structures. Assembly Automation, 31(4)
- Jayaweera N & Webb P. (2011). Robotic edge profiling of complex components. Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 38(1)
- Short AB, McCartney DG, Webb P & Preston E. (2011). Influence of nozzle orifice diameter in keyhole plasma arc welding. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining, 16(5)
- Jayaweera N & Webb P. (2010). Metrology-assisted robotic processing of aerospace applications. International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 23(3)
- Jayaweera N, Webb P & Johnson C. (2010). Measurement assisted robotic assembly of fabricated aero‐engine components. Assembly Automation, 30(1)
- Jayaweera N & Webb P. (2010). Measurement assisted robotic edge deburring of aero engine components. WSEAS Transactions on Systems and Control, 5(3)
- Eastwood SJ & Webb P. (2010). A gravitational deflection compensation strategy for HPKMs. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 26(6)
- Ye C & Webb P. (2009). A sub goal seeking approach for reactive navigation in complex unknown environments. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 57(9)
- Mirhosseyni SHL & Webb P. (2009). A Hybrid Fuzzy Knowledge-Based Expert System and Genetic Algorithm for efficient selection and assignment of Material Handling Equipment. Expert Systems with Applications, 36(9)
- Eastwood S & Webb P. (2009). Error significance analysis and compensation for HPKMs. Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 36(1)
- Eastwood S & Webb P. (2009). Compensation of thermal deformation of a hybrid parallel kinematic machine. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 25(1)
- Jayaweera N & Webb P. (2007). Adaptive robotic assembly of compliant aero-structure components. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 23(2)
- Jayaweera N & Webb P. (2007). Automated assembly of fuselage skin panels. Assembly Automation, 27(4)
- Khalili K & Webb P. (2007). The development and application of a multiple wavelength illumination technique for the vision-based process monitoring of aero-structure riveting. Machine Vision and Applications, 18(2)
- Fayad C & Webb P. (2006). Development of a hybrid crisp-fuzzy logic algorithm optimised by genetic algorithms for path-planning of an autonomous mobile robot. Journal of Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems, 17(1)
- Gao J, Webb P & Gindy N. (2005). Research on an inertial positioning system for a parallel kinematic machine. Mechatronics, 15(1)
- Webb P, Eastwood S, Jayaweera N & Chen Y. (2005). Automated aerostructure assembly. Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 32(5)
- Gao J, Webb P & Gindy N. (2004). Investigation of an inertial-sensor-based dynamic position measurement system for a parallel kinematic machine. Transactions of the Institute of Measurement and Control, 26(4)
- Webb P & Eastwood SJ. (2004). An evaluation of the TI2 manufacturing system for the machining of airframe subassemblies. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 218(7)
- Eastwood SJ, Webb P & McKeown C. (2003). The use of the TI2 manufacturing system on a double-curvature aerospace panel. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 217(6)
- Gao J, Webb P & Gindy N. (2003). Error reduction for an inertial-sensor-based dynamic parallel kinematic machine positioning system. Measurement Science and Technology, 14(5)
- Geldart M, Webb P, Larsson H, Backstrom M, Gindy N, .... (2003). A direct comparison of the machining performance of a variax 5 axis parallel kinetic machining centre with conventional 3 and 5 axis machine tools. International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, 43(11)
- Webb P & Wykes C. (2001). Analysis of fast accurate low ambiguity beam forming for non λ/2 ultrasonic arrays. Ultrasonics, 39(1)
- Webb P. (1998). An integrated system for the sensor processing and control of robot systems. Microprocessors and Microsystems, 21(6)
- Davies A, Knight JAG, Parkin RM, Turner C & Webb P. (1996). Soft products manipulation and control with air jets. IEE Colloquium (Digest)
- Webb P & Wykes C. (1996). High-resolution beam forming for ultrasonic arrays. IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, 12(1)
- Webb P & Wykes C. (1995). Suppression of second-time-around echoes in high firing rate ultrasonic transducers. NDT & E International, 28(2)
- Webb P, Gibson I & Wykes C. (1994). Robot guidance using ultrasonic arrays. Journal of Robotic Systems, 11(8)
- S A & P W. Contactless Medium Scale Industrial Robot Collaboration. Advances in Robotics & Automation, 05(01)
- Asif S & Webb P. Networked Control System An Overview. International Journal of Computer Applications, 115(6)
- Asif S & Webb P. Software System Integration Middleware An Overview. International Journal of Computer Applications, 121(5)
Conference Papers
- Khan F, Asif S & Webb P. (2023). Communication components for Human Intention Prediction – A Survey
- Fletcher S, Eimontaite I, Webb P & Lohse N. (2023). “We don’t need ergonomics anymore, we need psychology!” – the human analysis needed for human-robot collaboration
- Charalambous G, Fletcher S & Webb P. (2016). Development of a Human Factors Roadmap for the Successful Implementation of Industrial Human-Robot Collaboration
- Johnson T, Tang G, Fletcher SR & Webb P. (2016). Investigating the Effects of Signal Light Position on Human Workload and Reaction Time in Human-Robot Collaboration Tasks
- Tang G, Charalambous G, Webb P & Fletcher S. (2014). Users’ understanding of industrial robot gesture motions and effects on trust
- Aliende Urrutia U, Webb P & Summers M. (2014). Analysis of Design for X Methodologies for Complex Assembly Processes: A Literature Review
- Asif S & Webb P. (2013). An improved cell controller for the aerospace manufacturing
- Charalambous G, Fletcher S & Webb P. (2013). Human-automation collaboration in manufacturing: Identifying key implementation factors
- Asif S & Webb P. (2012). Advanced flexible automation cell
- Jones M, Webb P, Summers M & Baguley P. (2012). A manufacturing technology readiness impact assessment transitional framework
- Walton M, Fletcher SR & Webb P. (2012). Developing true cooperation between human operators and robots in assembly work systems: a proxemic study
- Walton M, Webb P & Poad M. (2011). Applying a Concept for Robot-Human Cooperation to Aerospace Equipping Processes
- Nirosh J & Phil W. (2010). Measurement assisted automated robotic edge deburring of complex components
- Webb P, Michel C, Kayani A, Poad M & Jayaweera N. (2010). Adaptive Automated Assembly of Wing System Components
- Short A, McCartney DG, Webb P & Preston E. (2009). Parametric envelopes for keyhole plasma arc welding of a titanium alloy
- Webb P, Ye C, To M, Al-Thraa S & Kayani A. (2009). A Framework for the Fusion of Multiple Metrology Sources for Measurement Assisted Assembly
- Gao J, Webb P & Gindy N. (2008). Evaluation of a Low-cost Inertial Dynamic Measurement System
- Gault R, Gustavsson L, Scott R, Smithers T, Suarez-Roos A, .... (2008). The Use of Robots for Advanced Fixing Operations in Difficult-to-Access Areas
- Webb P, Jayaweera N, Ye C & Johnson C. (2008). Robotic Assembly of Aero-Engine Components
- Gao J, Webb P & Gindy N. (2008). Evaluation of a Low-cost Inertial Dynamic Measurement System
- Webb P, Eastwood S, Jayweera N, Ye C & Keown CM. (2006). An Automated Fuselage Panel Assembly and Riveting Cell - Validation and Testing
- Eastwood S & Webb P. (2006). Simulation at the Heart of an Automated Aerospace Manufacturing Process
- Webb P, Chitiu A, Khalili K & McKeown C. (2004). Vision Based In-Process Inspection for Robotic Automated Riveting
- Gao J, Webb P & Gindy N. (2003). An inertial-sensor-based dynamic measurement system for parallel kinematic machine
- Webb P, Eastwood S, Chitiu A, Fayad C & Mckeown C. (2003). The Design and Realisation of a Flexible Rapid Assembly Aero-Structure Manufacturing Cell – A Simulation Driven Approach
- Webb P, Eastwood S, Chitiu A, Fayad C & Mckeown C. (2003). Flexible Automated Riveting and Assembly of Fuselage Skin Panels
- Gao J, Webb P & Gindy N. (2001). Inertial Sensors Error Modelling and Data Correction for the Position Measurement of Parallel Kinematics Machines
- Webb P, Chitiu A, Fayad C, Gindy N & Mckeown C. (2001). Flexible Automated Riveting of Fuselage Skin Panels
- Fayad C & Webb P. (2000). Fuzzy logic based collision avoidance algorithm for a mobile robot
- Pickett N, Eastwood S, Webb P, Gindy N, Vaughan D, .... (1999). A Framework to Support Component Design in Jigless Manufacturing
- Webb P & Robson JI. (1998). An intuitive control and sensory system for the enhancement of remotely controlled vehicle operation.
- Whittingham BD, Gindy NNZ, Chrisp AG, Powell NP, Geldart M, .... (1998). Capabilities of Parallel Link Machine Tools: Preliminary Investigations of the Variax Hexacenter™
- Dalay B & Webb P. (1995). Fast reconfiguring robot controller
- Davies A, Webb P, Knight JAG & Parkin RM. (1995). Manipulation and orientation of soft products with controlled air jets using distributed microcontroller based fuzzy logic control
- Wykes C, Nagi F & Webb P. (1993). Ultrasound imaging in air
- Wykes C, Carr H, Munro WSH, Nagi F, Pomeroy S, .... (1993). Advances in air-borne ultrasonic sensors
Books
- Barattini P, Federico V, Virk GS & Haidegger T. (2019). Human–Robot Interaction In Barattini P, Vicentini F, Virk GS & Haidegger T (eds), Human-Robot Interaction: Safety, Standardization, and Benchmarking. Chapman and Hall/CRC.
- Fletcher SR & Webb P. (2017). Industrial Robot Ethics: The Challenges of Closer Human Collaboration in Future Manufacturing Systems In Ferreira MIA, Sequeira JS, Tokhi MO, Kadar EE & Virk GS (eds), A World with Robots (84). Springer International Publishing.
- Johnson TL, Fletcher S & Webb PF. (2016). Investigating the effects of signal light position on human workload and reaction time in human-robot collaboration tasks In Schlick C & Trzcieliński S (eds), Advances in Ergonomics of Manufacturing: Managing the Enterprise of the Future: Proceedings of the AHFE 2016 International Conference on Human Aspects of Advanced Manufacturing, July 27-31, 2016, Walt Disney World®, Florida, USA. Springer.
- Webb P. Automated Aerospace Manufacture and Assembly In Encyclopedia of Aerospace Engineering. Wiley.
