Robotic machining of structural aluminium components

Currently aerospace sector is introducing many advances in manufacturing plants. TEKS identified an aero - component to be used as test bed for robot machining: wing’s leading edges. Wing’s leading edges are the Aluminium brackets that support aircraft wings; their manufacturing process is moving from riveted assembly to more homogenous brackets and robotic milling could represent a cost effective technology alternative to CNC milling. Another trend in the aeronautics sector is the moving from riveted assembly of structural Aluminium components to more homogenous ones, through investigating several cost effective technologies such as additive manufacturing or cost reduction through robotic milling. This is the area which TEKS has investigated as a key application of robot machining cells.