Producing composite parts for high-qualified products such as solar arrays, fuselages and rotor blades is, due to the delicacy of the material, mainly done by hand. As a result, composites are an expensive product. That is why we translate the fundamental assets of Industry 4.0 to our high-qualified composite manufacturing processes. We believe composites can be affordable for high-end markets such as Aeronautics, Space, and Marine, and Airborne has the capabilities to industrialise a broad range of composites manufacturing processes through the means of automation and digitalisation.
20 years of composites know-how
Do you know deep sea is even more challenging than deep space? With a revolutionary idea for the production of extremely affordable composite pipes for the Oil & Gas market, Airborne already showed some 20 years ago it is able to create solutions and think beyond given restrictions of qualification rules and regulations. Our challenge was to develop industrialised manufacturing lines for thermoplastic composite pipes, used at 3000 meter depth. And so we did: nowadays Airborne Oil & Gas is the world’s first and leading company in this field. With this experience Airborne knows automating and digitalisating composites manufacturing processes is the only path to follow.
High-end composite parts and production lines
Airborne produces high-end thermoset and thermoplastic composite parts and develops fully automated production lines. We can either produce these parts in-house through advanced manufacturing or we develop industrialisation packages which we implement at manufacturers of choice. As a result, our clients can rely on high flexibility, low costs and a reduction of lead times.
How do we digitalise composites production?
Automation means data. Data which we can use for digitalisation in order to improve our production processes. With our partner Siemens, Airborne has established a Digital Factory Composites Field Lab. Within this development center, we are working on the ‘Digital Twin’: a digital version of both the product and the composites production process. The KUKA robots are equipped with special sensors and actuators, providing all data necessary.
We simulate the total manufacturing process, accurately measure and record each action, and follow all editing steps and flaws. This allows us to produce a composite part automatically, without the intensive testing of a non-destructive prototype. Conducting all the production data will be sufficient for all qualifications.
How it works
Want to use composites without first becoming an expert? Here is how we made it easy for you:
1. Upload your design & submit your requirements
- Use the integrated toolbox with all kinds of measures and modules
- Play around in the interface with options and possibilities
- Receive instant feedback and immediate quotations
2. When you press order, your laminate is translated into manufacturing parameters
Production and performance parameters are calculated and optimised on-the-fly
3. And sent to a manufacturing robot, to optimise:
- Quality control
- Speed
- Robot movement
- End effector control
- Accuracy correction algorithm
- Layup logic
4. Your order will be produced and is ready to be delivered!
Your benefits include:
- Full control
- Direct feedback
- Quick decision making
- Easy to use
Contact
Arno van Mourik – CEO Airborne
For more information about our products and services, please contact me:
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