Objective The DATAFORM focuses on researching and developing digitally adjustable multi-point tooling for manufacturing of aircraft panels. The main advantageous features of DATAFORM are rapid, universal, and cost-effective with high flexibility compared with present hard fabrication tooling. It is the aim of DATAFORM to empower the tooling technology with a clear focus on industrial use for aeronautics, and to drive the rapid development of flexible tooling in manufacturing leading to new processes and immediate industrial exploitation. There are no such dieless forming tooling and jigless positioning tooling available on market. DATAFORM will play a key role in realising the full potential of flexible tooling by combining robotic control technology.The industrial and scientific breakthrough objectives of the project are:(1) Fundamental exploration of digitally adjustable multi-point tooling. This will lead to realise rapid dieless forming of skin panels and accurate jigless fabrication of panel structures in aviation.(2) Solution of the key technological problems of adjustable multi-point tooling. This will lead to develop an adjustable tooling composing punch matrices to replace the solid dies or hard tooling.(3) Development of the integrated CAD/CAE/CAT software and robotic close-loop control devices for the modular system. This will lead to an innovative analysis and optimisation process, the automatic control of punches and the quick adaptation to component design or engineering changes.(4) Development and implementation of digitally adjustable multi-point tooling in manufacturing of aircraft products.This will lead to reduce tooling costs by 60%, cut set-up time by up to 50% and decreasing tooling lead time, eliminate the need for tooling storage, and also increase tooling utilization significantly. The DATAFORM Coordinator MEC has successfully coordinated 12 European projects and is the Coordinator of two FP6 Networks of Excellence and two STREPs. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwareengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraftnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata exchangeengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaeronautical engineeringengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringrobotics Programme(s) FP6-AEROSPACE - Aeronautics and Space: thematic priority 4 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) AERO-1.1 - Strengthening competitiveness Call for proposal FP6-2005-AERO-1 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator CARDIFF UNIVERSITY EU contribution No data Address 30-36 Newport Road CARDIFF United Kingdom See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRE DE RECHERCHE EN AÉRONAUTIQUE ASBL Belgium EU contribution No data Address Avenue Jean Mermoz 30, Bât. Mermoz 1 GOSSELIES See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data JILIN UNIVERSITY China EU contribution No data Address 2699 QIANJIN Street CHANGCHUN See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Kayser Italia Italy EU contribution No data Address Via di Popogna 501 LIVORNO See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data OPEN ENGINEERING S.A. Belgium EU contribution No data Address Rue des Chasseurs Ardennais, 8 ANGLEUR (LIÈGE) See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Sener Ingenieria y Sistemas Spain EU contribution No data Address Avenida Zugazarte 56 GETXO, LAS ARENAS See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data