Influences of Manufacturing Sequences for the Application of Printed Electronics on Aircraft Interior Components

Abstract

The current single-aisle production requires a higher efficiency and smarter processes within the context of industry 4.0. Both digitalization and robotics in the Final Assembly Line (FAL) are just two of many objectives that are of great importance. Within the field of cabin interiors, the design of cabin lining components also has to meet the requirements of these primary objectives. In concrete terms, this means further weight reduction, optimizing the installation process and particularly the integration of additional functionalities by printed electronics. The use of different printing technologies for instance Aerosol-Jet and Piezo-Jet in combination with a broad spectrum of functional inks enable printed circuits, antennas and sensors directly onto cabin lining components within the near future. Thereby, smarter cabin interior components can be realized which could lead to more functionalities and a further reduction of manufacturing time.