Unlike other industrial products, aeronautics components are characterized by low production numbers, which can even be reduced to just a few units in the case of larger items such as transmission casings, jet engine fans, or wing spars. Furthermore, the manufacturing processes are quite complex and have very long cycle times, in the face of a very high level of precision and quality required to meet the essential safety and reliability requirements for the use of airplanes and helicopters.
Recent developments in robotics technology and related tools, such as 2D and 3D vision systems, quality control sensors, dedicated tools, and virtual prototyping, have allowed in recent years to address the challenges associated with small production batches and high precision requirements. This has opened up new prospects for the automation of processes in the aeronautics industry, aiming to achieve production characterized by flexibility and absolute quality.
The ability to shape and define the form of a semi-finished element, regardless of the material it is made of, constitutes the common point of all the finishing operations proposed by Sir.
These operations take place in high-tech cells, where robots collaborate with axis-controlled positioning systems and a wide range of interchangeable tools, sometimes mounted directly on the robots and at other times positioned in a fixed manner. The use of offline programming and dynamic process simulation enables anthropomorphic robots to precisely replicate the movements of an expert finishing operator.
This is why we can assert that Sir’s finishing cells allow for the automation of expertise, as the technical and practical know-how of an operator can be easily transferred to the machine. As a result, robots transform into highly specialized workers capable of flawlessly refining a component, while ensuring consistent and repeatable production quality, paving the way for intelligent robotic manufacturing (smart robotic manufacturing).
Easy Programming
The times needed to put a new article into production are minimised thanks to virtual programming: transferring the operator’s knowhow to the machine is made easy.
Dedicated Hardware
Tool magazines and modules, alignment systems, electric spindles developed by SIR’s design and with multidirectional compensation: solutions’ hardware is the cornerstone of a successful process.
Absolute Quality and Flexibility
Quantities and repetitive tasks are typical of the automation of the past. Using robots in modern process manufacturing means constantly assuring quality, precision and flexibility.
Functional Characteristics
- Virtual programming
- Specific tools and spindles
- Adaptive tool compensation