Review of Reconfigurable Assembly Systems Technologies for Cost Effective Wing Structure Assembly University of Nottingham

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Jefferson, Jefferson, author.

Contributor:

Crossley, Richard

Ratchev, Svetan

Smith, Tony

Conference Name:

SAE 2013 AeroTech Congress & Exhibition (2013-09-24 : Montréal, Canada)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 2013

Summary:

Airbus commercial wings are assembled manually in dedicated steel structures. The lead time to design, manufacture and commission these fixtures is often in excess of 24 months. Due to the nature of these fixtures, manufacturing is slow in responding to changes in demand. There is underused capacity in some areas and insufficient ramp-up speed where increased production rate is needed. Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems and Reconfigurable Assembly Systems (RAS) provide an approach to system design that provides appropriate capacity when needed.The aim of the paper is to review RAS technologies that are suitable for cost-effective wing structure assembly and what knowledge gaps exist for a RAS to be achieved. The paper examines successful cases of RAS and reviews relevant system design approaches. Cost savings are acknowledged and tabularised where demonstrated in research. The research gaps to realising a RAS for wing assembly are identified and different approaches are considered. A table summarises the technologies and methods that are reviewed and acknowledges feasibility and costs

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

2013-01-2336

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license