Airbus Helicopters France has signed a Letter of Intent to implement Airborne's digital automation technologies at its Le Bourget factory, aiming to enhance manufacturing efficiency for composite rotor hubs and helicopter blades. The adoption includes Automated Ply Placement (APP) and Kit by Light (KBL) systems, designed to boost productivity, reduce material waste, and support high-mix production for both military and civil helicopter models.
This factory makes all composite helicopter blades and hub structures for all Airbus helicopter models, both military and civil.
Marcus Kremers, CTO of Airborne: It's a high-mix production environment, ramping up to meet increasing demand, and Airborne's industrialisation technologies are an excellent fit.
Two Automation Systems
The project covers two of Airborne's main automation systems, Kit by Light (KBL) and Automated Ply Placement (APP). APP is already used by Airbus Commercial for the A350 programme. It automates the layup process from cutter to laminate and can be used for both prepreg and dry fibre. In this project, new features regarding part size, layup and quality inspection are planned to be added.
KBL is already in use at Airbus Helicopters' sister plant in Donauworth (Germany), where it supports operators in the cutting room with software that significantly accelerates kitting. Plans are to implement the system in the Le Bourget factory to reduce material waste and increase output.
Source: www.airborne.com
