Forum: General F-35 Forum

Quote:

First F-35 Center Fuselage Produced by Integrated Assembly Line

PALMDALE, Calif., Apr 2, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's /quotes/zigman/236055/quotes/nls/noc NOC +0.31% first F-35 center fuselage produced by its Integrated Assembly Line (IAL) was delivered to Lockheed Martin on March 16, 2012. While the company has delivered 69 center fuselages since 2005, this is the first produced using the IAL. The IAL maximizes robotics and automation, providing additional capacity and assembly capability while meeting engineering tolerances that are not easily achieved using manual methods.

Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/medi ... kgid=12246

The IAL will be central in producing the F-35's center fuselage as well as increasing the program's affordability, quality and efficiency. The technologies deployed on the IAL have created more efficient and ergonomic process for assembly. The IAL was developed and designed with the help of the Detroit-based KUKA Robotics Aerospace Division, a commercial automation integrator, and was inspired by automation systems used by American automakers.

Article Link -> http://www.marketwatch.com/story/photo- ... 2012-04-02

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From my experience Kuka is a good source for factory automation. Have seen installations of theirs in the auto industry since 1987. They have much experience and produce some of the largest robots. Typical AC servo motor six axis robots and other specialized systems. Glad to see aerospace adapting best practices from us in the auto industry. Incidently they are a German firm.

Typically robotics does not reduce costs as much as people believe but it improves quality thru repeatability of actions and removes humans from hazardess work environments (auto industry paint shops.) The reduction in direct labor costs is partially offset by an increase in maintenance/programming costs. All and all it really gives you a better product.

Mark