Digital reality solutions provider Hexagon has revealed the launch of a new automated quality inspection system at the Farnborough Airshow this week.
With aerospace manufacturers under pressure to increase production, Hexagon's fully automated PRESTO XL inspection cell, used for inspecting large aerospace components, is the latest addition to its modular series of turn-key systems that can be deployed by manufacturing lines globally in as little as 16 weeks.
The PRESTO system, available in a series of standardized, scalable units, was initially designed to address the varying size requirements and inspection needs of mass-production manufacturers.
"The industry has no choice but to upgrade its manufacturing processes if it wants to keep up with demand," said Aziz Tahiri, v-p of global aerospace and defense at Hexagon. "We've reached the limits of productivity gains from simply recruiting more people to ramp up production. Successfully automating low volume aerospace manufacturing has proven challenging due to the high mix and scale of components."
The latest and largest PRESTO XL employs two mobile trackers and two mobile scanners and can accommodate long parts measuring 3- to 6 meters. It is suitable for inspecting at least 50 percent of major aerostructure components, including fuselage panels, doors, and wing ribs.
Hexagon said the aerospace industry was under immense pressure to increase output, with demand pushing global aircraft production to increase by 20 percent per year from now until 2027. "Airbus A320 production alone is planned to ramp up from the 48 aircraft per month while grappling with a significant skills shortage, exacerbated by early retirements during the Covid-19 pandemic and a struggle to attract young engineers."
Hexagon’s manufacturing intelligence division has also announced the launch of its new Digital Factory Solution, which allows manufacturers to build highly accurate digital replicas of their factories, potentially enabling them to save millions of pounds per year by optimizing production. Some 32 percent of manufacturers believe their current processes are outdated, impeding productivity and collaboration.
The solution helps global manufacturers by allowing them to reduce costs and avoid mistakes when planning and building factories. "By connecting asset digital twins to an accurate and up-to-date digital factory, companies can plan and operate more productive, flexible, and sustainable future factories," the company said.