Aircraft assembly facility for Cranfield
Cranfield University has launched a £1m facility designed to make aircraft assembly more efficient.
The Centre for Aerostructure Assembly and Systems Installation was launched as part of the university’s graduation ceremony and opened by Airbus chief executive Dr Tom Enders. Airbus and The Royal Academy of Engineering are the centre’s sponsors.
Dr Enders said: “Working alongside such a renowned establishment results in impressive research and findings and Airbus is pleased to work with Cranfield, and looks forward to more projects in the future.”
Professor Phil Webb, of the new Aerostructure Assembly and Systems Installation Research Group, will be leading the research. He said: “Currently the making of a wing is partially automated, but the installation of the aircraft’s systems such as fuel and electrics is 100 per cent manual.
“The hope is that in the future there will be a mixture of people and robots to make the process faster and more effective. Being part of this new venture is exciting for me, my team and for Cranfield.”
