Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Ltd. is leading a three partner, 24 month “Aerostructures Factory of the Future” research collaboration activity, supported by the UK Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI).

Spirit, as the lead partner in this programme, intends to create a future factory scenario that fully supports advanced automated assembly technologies of major structural aerospace components. Such technological advancements will consider electronic detail component passport tracking and management through advanced automated assembly to complete verification and validation of the process. The aim of this ambitious programme is to have a fully functional automated production line demonstrator that reduces assembly cost and increases repeatable quality.

“This programme will provide a platform for innovation and an opportunity to completely rethink how industry manages the assembly process,” said Dan Caughran, vice president / GM - UK. “Aerostructures Factory of the Future is strategically important in increasing the competitiveness of the UK operations. The programme will help keep our current product portfolio and win new business. Working together with this consortium and the ATI funding will give us the much needed assistance to achieve the important programme initiatives and increase technology capability within the UK.”

Part of the programme will specifically focus on increasing the cost competitiveness of the UK supply chain through the development of technological solutions that reduce or remove labour intensive processes in component part fabrication or machining.

The Factory of the Future collaboration team comprises an industrial supplier of major component parts Aeromet International PLC and the UK's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre. Spirit will manage and lead the consortium as the exploitation partner and provide the governance mechanism.