JPG PDF PNG ? zip

Aerospace Manufacturing Magazine

  • Articles
    • News
    • Features
    • Products
  • Video
  • Magazine
    • Digital Editions
    • Subcontractor Sourcing Guide
    • Latest Newsletter
    • Editorial Programme
    • Supplier Guide
  • Literature
  • Events
  • Associations
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
    • Readership
    • Editorial Programme
    • Digital/eMarketing
    • Rates & Specs
    • 2019 Media Pack
  • Contact us

Flexible manufacturing system for Airbus wing components

September 7, 2017
Flexible manufacturing system for Airbus wing components

A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) for producing small to medium-size wing components for the Airbus A330 family of long-range, wide-body jetliners has started operation at a leading aerospace subcontractor in the south of England.

The FMS incorporates five Hermle 5-axis, vertical-spindle machining centres – four C 42 Us and a larger C 52 U, the first to be installed in the UK. The HSK-A63 taper machines were supplied by Geo Kingsbury, sole agent for the German manufacturer. Each C 42 U is fitted with a 139-pocket tool magazine, while the C 52 U has a 200-tool magazine.

All machines were factory-prepared for automation with automatic doors, services through the table, and interfaces for connection to an Erowa Robot Dynamic storage system with 224 pallet locations and integrated loading and unloading stations for workpiece set-up and removal. Four sizes of pallet are accommodated: 250mm x 250mm, 250mm x 300mm, 525mm x 400mm, and 1,000mm x 500mm. Only the largest machine can accept the latter pallet size.

REM Systems, UK agent for the Swiss automation equipment manufacturer, configured the machines into the FMS with the assistance of Geo Kingsbury engineers. One C 42 U is devoted to the manufacture of titanium components, while all the other Hermles produce aluminium parts.

It is notable that the largest Hermle machining centre is fitted with Heidenhain’s latest milling control, the TNC 640. Although machining cycles in the FMS do not include turning, which the control supports, the CNC system was selected because it offers increased look-ahead and has faster block processing, so cycle times are shorter.

www.geokingsbury.com

Michael Tyrrell

Tags

Kingsbury UK (Geo Kingsbury)

Share This Article

Tweet

Share

Share

Share

Share

Michael Tyrrell
Digital Coordinator

Related Articles

Zimmermann unveils new HMC for producing airframe structures

2 months ago Mike Richardson
products

Compact turn-mill centre for one-hit production of large parts

3 months ago Michael Tyrrell
products

Irish aerospace subcontractor progresses to 5-axis machining

6 months ago Michael Tyrrell
features

Up Next

New testing technique could speed up metal additive manufacturing in aerospace

A new technique could improve the efficiency of metal additive manufacturing in the aerospace industry and reduce waste by allowing components to be inspected during the build process. The technique,…
1 year ago Mike Richardson
news

Recent Articles

Subcontractor targets aerospace with Hardinge CNC machine investment

Subcontractor targets aerospace with Hardinge CNC machine investment

Meeting the precision needs of its customers has...
FAC members gain leads from Southern Manufacturing 2019

FAC members gain leads from Southern Manufacturing 2019

The Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC)...
JP Kummer launches dispensers to aerospace industry

JP Kummer launches dispensers to aerospace industry

JP Kummer has recently launched three new lines...
Production data shows first fall for UK aerospace in four years

Production data shows first fall for UK aerospace in four years

The Office of National Statistics has published...
February 2019

Subscribe to our FREE Media Network

INFORMATION

    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Cookie Policy

CATEGORIES

  • Features (1,446)
  • Literature (23)
  • News (4,079)
  • Products (183)
  • Video (65)

TAGS

  • robotics
  • TCT
  • ge9x
  • Turned parts
  • Honing

OUR OTHER MAGAZINES

Aerospace Manufacturing Logo Composites in Manufacturing Logo

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Aerospace Manufacturing Magazine
  • MIT Publishing
  • Featherstone House
  • 375 High Street
  • Rochester
  • Kent
  • ME1 1DA
01634 830566

Back To Top

1998 - 2019 © MIT Publishing
Site designed & developed by TJC