Global robot manufacturers ABB and Kuka are developing technology they claim benefits aerospace production because it can deal with the fiddly jobs. Their robots have the flexibility to help build aircraft at high quality and low cost. Gary Taylor, Kuka’s aerospace sales manager, says: “Automation offers a raft of value-added benefits including better quality, fewer wasted consumables and the removal of downstream corrective rework or rejects.

“Robots can efficiently and reliably automate a vast array of processes at a time when aero component makers are under growing pressure to find alternative solutions to stay one step ahead of their competitors.”

ABB Robotics has developed a technology that allows robots to ‘feel’. The technology, called force control, can be used in different ways for aerospace tasks such as machining and assembly.

Source: Professional Engineering Magazine