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Old 14th Mar 2017, 06:15
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Sunfish
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Onetrack, with respect, the costs of tooling up for robot based production are extraordinary. While Boeing and Airbus have automated plenty of processes over the years, not every process is amenable to it.

For example Boeing had water jet cutting of interior panels years ago and also automated some wing spar riveting. However aircraft are series production projects not mass production and "design - for -easy - assembly " does not take priority over design for performance and low weight.

I would say a lot of interior work and engine components like blades are now produced on robotic lines, but primary structure? I think not, with the exception perhaps of some automatic layup of composites. Of course anything that can be inc machined will be. I also seem to remember that Boeings latest paint shop is robotic.
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