It is possible to compensate for the cost pressure as well as the shortage of the skilled workers in aircraft production
through automation by making the processes more economical and efficient. To serve this purpose, conventional
industrial robots with comparatively low investment costs and space requirements are used in combination with sensor
technology and artificial intelligence to pave the way further for new applications.
Automation offers flexibility
The focus lies on versatile production for the adaptive assembly and machining of large lightweight structures in the field
of civil aircraft production. The constantly growing fields of the activities range from mobile robotics to human-robot
collaboration to logistics in production.
Multiple technology platforms for machining and assembly of large structures readily exist at the research center in Stade
with an approximate hall area of about 4000 m² for development of Industry 4.0 technologies and automated processes
on a 1:1 scale as per individual customer requirements.
The spectrum of work of Fraunhofer IFAM in Stade comprises of technological modules, which can be combined with one
another, just like building blocks, in order to ensure, for example, high precision, maximum flexibility, comprehensive data
management or optimal use of resources depending on the requirements.
In addition, new possibilities for process design are being promoted through forward-looking approaches in digitalization
and offline programming.