Product category:
Robots and robotic systems
News Release from: Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems | Subject: Robots in aircraft assembly
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 August 2007
Robots to assemble aircraft quicker
A UK university has gained a technical partner to develop robotic assembly systems for the aircraft industry and reduce the high level of manual work currently used by the industry.
Latest Technology Partner to Sheffield University and Boeing's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in the UK is Robot and automation supplier Mitsubishi Electric The AMRC is rapidly becoming recognised as a world-class global research facility for developing advanced technology systems for advanced materials forming, manufacturing techniques and manufacturing management
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 8 May 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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Aerospace's manufacturing and production process are still largely craft-based.
The huge amounts of manual labour associated with building an aircraft introduce inefficiency, inconsistencies and time delays into the process.
This makes it difficult to meet peak demand, as Boeing is currently experiencing with its A737 and will experience with the future 787 'Super Jumbo'.
"It also opens up issues of human errors, repeatability, traceability, health and safety," said Jon Sumner, a technology specialist with Mitsubishi.
"To date the aircraft makers have been in a position where they can dictate supply to the customers, but that is changing completely.
The major players and the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) recognise this and are trying to stay ahead of the curve.
In many ways what they are doing now is what other manufacturing industries did 20 years ago," said Sumner.
Mitsubishi is the world's largest supplier of automation systems and technologies and probably has the broadest range of industrial robots.
The FAA has published a demanding timetable for change; manufacturers who cannot reach it will find their approvals revoked.
Set out in objectives such as accuracy, repeatability and traceability, automation is the only practical way forward.
"It's not a simple technology transfer from say the automotive industries," explained Sumner.
"Because production volumes are relatively low and customisation is common, we have to develop flexible automation systems which can perform multiple tasks and be re-deployed at various stages of the build programme".
This makes robots a particularly suitable technology.
They are highly adaptable and can be assigned to very different tasks.
They are easy to retool and reprogramme for multiple tasks and, when coupled with complementary technologies such as vision systems, because almost human-like in their ability to adapt.
* Wing stringer assembly - Mitsubishi has developed a system based on standard servodrive technologies for building wing stringers, each one slightly but critically different from its neighbour down the span of the wing.
It also has manufacturing management programmes that are proven in highly complex, highly critical production environments. Request a free brochure from Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems ...
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