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Boeing ‘abandons’ robots in favour of humans

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Boeing has reportedly abandoned the use of some robotic systems that were being used for fuselage work such as drilling and fastening.

According to the Seattle Times, the implementation of the robots “proved painful to set up and (was) error-prone”.

The news website quoted Jason Clark, Boeing vice president of 777/777X operations, who said back in 2015, when the robots were first introduced: “It’s a little tough in the teething. But as we get through it, it will create the rewards necessary for us to compete.” [Read more…] about Boeing ‘abandons’ robots in favour of humans

Special feature: Tour of Airbus’ advanced manufacturing facility in Germany

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Airbus is in the midst of revolutionary changes that may lead the aerospace giant to spend more than $1 billion on robotics, automation and digitalisation technologies across its global operation in the next few years – that’s if the advances at the company’s Hamburg, Germany facility are duplicated in all its facilities worldwide. 

The multinational consortium could end up spending a lot more: for example, the final stages of its internal assembly is labour-intensive, with all equipment – seats and luggage compartments – installed by humans. If this stage is roboticised, as the company’s chief operating officer has suggested, it would fundamentally change the current production process, something which he is envisaging anyway.

Robotic technologies have already transformed the way Airbus manufactures the exterior shell of its planes. Whereas, in the past, human workers would have drilled the 6,000 or more external holes in the fuselage of a typical commercial airliner, now, robots not only drill them, they also rivet or fasten them.

Perhaps surprisingly to some readers, the drilling was done by humans all these years until now, and even now, it’s only at the Hamburg facility that robots have been brought in.

Last week, Airbus provided more insight into its highly automated aircraft manufacturing facility in Hamburg – a place called Finkenwerder, to be precise, at what’s described as a “private airport”.

The aerospace jumbo invited a small group of journalists, including one from Robotics and Automation News, for a visit to the vast, sprawling complex, and a detailed, guided tour of Hangar 245, the advanced manufacturing facility in which aircraft belonging to the “A320 Family”, as Airbus describes them, are currently being assembled.  [Read more…] about Special feature: Tour of Airbus’ advanced manufacturing facility in Germany

Boeing 737 crash could lead to planes being fitted with thousands of additional sensors

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On the 10th of March this year, a Boeing 737 plane crashed in Ethiopia, killing all 157 on board. 

Investigators have released their early findings into another accident involving a 737 operated by Indonesia’s Lion Air, in October last year, and they suggest the cause was “an erroneous angle-of-attack sensor”.

An angle-of-attack sensor is usually positioned to the side of the plane’s nose and detects oncoming air flow, to which it adjusts and sends back data to the plane’s computer system.  [Read more…] about Boeing 737 crash could lead to planes being fitted with thousands of additional sensors

Boeing autonomous passenger air vehicle completes first flight

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Boeing says it has successfully completed the first test flight of its autonomous passenger air vehicle prototype in Manassas, Virginia.

Boeing NeXt, which leads the company’s urban air mobility efforts, utilized Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences to design and develop the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and will continue testing to advance the safety and reliability of on-demand autonomous air transportation.

The passenger air vehicle prototype completed a controlled takeoff, hover and landing during the flight, which tested the vehicle’s autonomous functions and ground control systems.  [Read more…] about Boeing autonomous passenger air vehicle completes first flight

Boeing extends partnership with Siemens’ Mentor Graphics

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Boeing has entered into an agreement to expand its use of Siemens‘ Mentor Graphics software. The long-term agreement provides Siemens technology in the areas of electrical systems design, electronic products design and mechanical analysis.

Focusing on technologies from Siemens’ Mentor Graphics acquisition, Boeing will standardise on a common, company-wide platform for semiconductor design and verification, printed wire board design and manufacture, electrical system design and manufacture (including wire harness) and thermal and fluid analysis of mechanical designs.

“Our partnership with the Siemens-Mentor team will combine best-in-class electrical design tools with Boeing’s vast experience and knowledge in our 2CES transformation of electrical design,” said John Harnagel, Engineering Director, Boeing Defense and Space.

[Read more…] about Boeing extends partnership with Siemens’ Mentor Graphics

Boeing and SparkCognition constructing air traffic system for autonomous planes

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Boeing is collaborating with artificial intelligence technology company SparkCognition to develop unmanned aircraft system traffic management solutions.

Boeing and SparkCognition say they will use AI and blockchain technologies to track unmanned air vehicles in flight and allocate traffic corridors and routes to “ensure safe, secure transportation”.

Through the collaboration, they will also provide a standardized programming interface to support package delivery, industrial inspection and other commercial applications.  [Read more…] about Boeing and SparkCognition constructing air traffic system for autonomous planes

Boeing completes autonomous synchronised flight tests in Australia

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Boeing has successfully completed the first suite of synchronised unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight tests using new on-board autonomous command and control technology developed by Boeing in Australia.

Conducted at a regional Queensland, Australia, airfield, five UAV test beds equipped with Boeing’s new on-board system safely complete in-air programmed missions as a team without input from a human pilot.

The milestone comes six months after establishing the company’s largest international autonomous systems development program in Queensland.

[Read more…] about Boeing completes autonomous synchronised flight tests in Australia

Boeing invests in high-speed metal 3D printing company Digital Alloys

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Boeing has invested an undisclosed sum in Digital Alloys, a Burlington, Massachusetts-based company developing high-speed, multi-metal additive manufacturing systems that produce 3D-printed parts for aerospace and other production applications.

Digital Alloys’ Joule Printing technology is said to be able to “rapidly combine multiple metals into each part, which enhances thermal, electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties”.

The process allows metals like titanium and high-temperature alloys to be 3D-printed for parts that could be used on Boeing products.  [Read more…] about Boeing invests in high-speed metal 3D printing company Digital Alloys

Boeing and Lufthansa complete order for four 777 planes

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Boeing and the Lufthansa Group have completed an order for four more 777 airplanes, valued at $1.4 billion at list prices.

The purchase is part of the aviation company’s plans to modernize its fleet with newer widebody airplanes.

In a statement, Lufthansa Group said: “The order for the new long-haul aircraft highlights the strategy of Lufthansa Group to predominantly allocate the growth within its multi-hub system where cost and quality offer the best conditions for profitable investments.”  [Read more…] about Boeing and Lufthansa complete order for four 777 planes

Boeing unveils prototype pilotless aircraft for carrying cargo

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Boeing has unveiled a pilotless or unmanned aerial vehicle which can take off and land vertically, and carry up to 500 pounds.

Boeing says the prototype “multi-copter” UAV is part of its plans to “further develop and mature the building blocks of autonomy and electric propulsion”.

The new unmanned electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) cargo air vehicle (CAV) prototype will be used to test and evolve Boeing’s autonomy technology for future aerospace vehicles.  [Read more…] about Boeing unveils prototype pilotless aircraft for carrying cargo