A Framework for Industry 4.0 Implementation in Aerospace Assembly

Abstract

This paper details a single framework that takes an Industry 4.0 approach to the automation of assembly based tasks in aerospace assembly. Research to date has shown that 80% of total assembly time is consumed by only 20% of the tasks within a jet engine nacelle assembly line. These tasks have the potential to be automated through industrial robots, as the proportion of time required for their completion supports a case for the required capital expenditure. The achievable accuracy of industrial robots has limited their broader application in the aerospace industry, where assembly tasks remain predominantly manual. A novel framework which establishes the virtual and physical connections to enable a Cyber-Physical System is presented, which has the potential to address this challenge. The framework is complemented by a developing implementation of the system. A closed-loop, digital construct is proposed whereby data from physical system execution informs changes to coded hardware inputs. This is then used to affect changes or correct actions to robotic operations, in order to meet assembly quality requirements. To date, the research has established independent, bi-directional data streams between the demonstration robot, metrology, and the PLM system. A method has also been developed which integrates positional information (actual & digital) within a single coordinate system to aid the smooth transition of data between the cyber and physical elements of the proposed framework.