AEROSPACE

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AEROSPACE

DELU robot vehicles are a match for the toughest requirements in aerospace and aviation

The final assembly of aircraft presents enormous challenges on the means of transport that convey the fuselage, the aircraft and the mobile work platforms along the final assembly line. The conditions impose extremely high requirements with considerable cost impact. The use of air cushion transport systems offers a particularly effective and flexible solution to these problems.

DELU has developed innovative tape-guided air cushion robot vehicles for transport of the fuselage and remote-controlled, tape-guided air cushion running gears for the various construction points (cockpit platform, wing root section platforms, tail platforms, mid-section platforms, cargo hold platforms and engine platforms). These computer-controlled vehicles combine the properties of air cushion transport systems and driverless transport systems (AGVs), i.e. enormous flexibility and positioning accuracy alongside a high degree of automation.

 

Other benefits:

  • Investment costs are reduced, productivity boosted and lead times shortened
  • Two fuselage transporters can be positioned at any distance to enable adjustment to aircraft of different lengths; similarly, the modular and freely positionable work or paint platforms can be easily adapted to different aircraft contours
  • Aircraft transported safely
  • Sophisticated monitoring sensors, emergency strategies and redundant analogue measuring systems ensure high degree of operational safety
  • Transport system easy to be operate by one employee
  • Floating load enables exact positioning accuracy
  • Mobile work platforms for paintwork are explosion protected
Transport of large aircraft fuselages in the final assembly line
The tape-guided robot vehicles have a high positioning accuracy
Robot vehicles in tandem operation for empty runs and the parked position.
The air cushion transporters have a scissors lifting unit and bracing for receiving the sensitive fuselage.
The robot vehicles on air cushions are guided by passive tape technology, can convey loads up to 70m in length and 60t in weight and have a high positioning accuracy.
These computer-controlled vehicles combine the properties of air cushion transport systems and driverless transport systems (high flexibility, positioning accuracy and degree of automation).
The fuselage of this Airbus A321 is taken automatically from the assembly location to the wing assembly station and positioned precisely by the air cushion transports.
The lifting units have a high-precision synchronization control. The units have fuselage braces mounted on them to receive the nose and the tail of the aircraft.
Transport of small aircraft fuselages in the final assembly line
The aircraft are cycled with the aid of air cushion equipment
Air cushion transport system for cycling small aircraft.
The air cushion units are connected by an adjustable telescopic rod.
The only requirement is that the floor must be smooth, level and airtight.
Mobile work platforms for final assembly
Work platforms travelling on air cushions can be adapted precisely to the contours of the aircraft
Mobile work platforms configured with air cushion running gears are used at the seven points on the Airbus assembly line.
The running gears consist of modular air cushion cassettes that are moved by means of two pivoting, continuously controllable friction wheel drives.
Air cushion work platform for engine assembly.
Tail platforms: all platforms are configured with a device to prevent collisions with the aircraft. This collision protection triggers an immediate emergency stop if required.
Work platforms on air cushions are also used in helicopter assembly.
The air cushion cassettes can be easily installed underneath the platforms. These can then be moved simply and conveniently in all directions and positioned precisely.
Mobile work platforms for painting
The work platforms travelling on air cushions are radio controlled and explosion protected
Explosion-protected air cushion work platforms for the paint shop.
The mobile platforms completely surround the aircraft and can be adapted to the contours of various aircraft types thanks to different segments.
Other applications
Air cushion technology opens up a wide range of different applications
Air cushion transporter for the tail unit.
Air cushion vehicles for transporting aircraft wings.
Air cushion transporter for wing assembly tools.
An Ariane rocket end stage being transported on air cushions.
Air cushion transporter for engine production.