Technologies For Factory Of The Future

Graham Warwick

Computer-Aided Manufacturing

Wichita State University

Brian Brown, associate director of the CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) Lab at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), uses Dassault Systemes software and equipment from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence to scan the wing of a commercial aircraft.

3-D Visualization

Wichita State University

Jeff Fisher, manager of the Virtual Reality Center at NIAR, demonstrates the Dassault Systemes software that can display realistic 3-D virtual interiors and exteriors of aircraft structural models.

Ultrasonic Manufacturing

Bullen Ultrasonics

Bullen Ultrasonics uses a variety of advanced tools in the production of parts for multiple industries, such as this custom-made automated ultrasonic machine for manufacturing ceramic matrix composite components for the aerospace industry.

Ultrasonic Inspection

Bullen Ultrasonics

Robin Brown of Bullen Ultrasonics inspects glass products used for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems pressure sensors for aerospace, automotive, industrial and medical customers.

Additive Manufacturing

Sciaky

In December, Airbus took delivery of an EBAM 110 electron beam additive-manufacturing machine from U.S. company Sciaky to 3-D-print titanium airframe structural components. The machine can produce parts up to 19 ft. long, depositing up to 20 lb. of metal an hour using an electron beam to melt wire.

Automated Assembly

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman’s integrated assembly line for F-35 center fuselages, in El Segundo, California, was inspired by automation systems used by U.S. motor vehicle manufacturers and was developed in partnership with industrial robotics specialist KUKA Systems North America.

Digital Infrastructure

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is building a digital infrastructure across the company to support a vision of the factory of the future that stretches from design to manufacture and on into sustainment, with the goal of making weapon systems more affordable and enabling rapid technology insertion.

Robotic Operations

Airbus

Under the European Futurassy research project, Airbus has looked at expanding automation of assembly using robots. Here, under the Collaborative Robots project theme, a two-arm humanoid robot is used to perform repetitive tasks, freeing up the skilled worker to focus on higher-value tasks.

Digital Tracking and Monitoring

Airbus

An early step in Airbus’s factory of the future plan was the introduction of radio-frequency identification tags on components and tools to track and visualize production processes in real time. The technology was deployed initially on wing-assembly and final-assembly lines in France and the UK.

Ultrasonic machining, 3-D virtual-reality imaging, digital scanning and further advances in additive manufacturing are just some of the innovations OEMs are introducing for the factory of the future. But because many of their suppliers have not yet adapted, those that do introduce manufacturing advances can gain a major competitive advantage.

See Also
Who Will Be Left Behind From The Factory Of The Future?
How To Prepare Aerospace Workers For Factory Of The Future

Graham Warwick

Graham leads Aviation Week's coverage of technology, focusing on engineering and technology across the aerospace industry, with a special focus on identifying technologies of strategic importance to aviation, aerospace and defense.

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