The innovative automation scenario that has been proposed and developed in ACOTAAL consists of a set of automation concepts (ACs) based on advanced robotic technologies able to perform different operations at the different working areas that exist at the FAL assembly stations (i.e. inside cabin and cargo, outside aircraft), as well as on a set of mobility devices (moveable platforms, mobile robots,…) for transporting the automation equipment or for moving the aircraft components to the installation points (i.e. logistics).
Each of the ACs has been worked out until a basic engineering maturity level meaning that CAD-3D realistic mock-ups have been developed for the robotic devices and for each application area scenario, and production simulations have been carried out for assessing the AC feasibility for performing the production tasks and activities assigned to it (i.e. collision avoidance, reach, manoeuvrability at confined spaces,…). A production process flow (i.e. operating sequence) has been proposed for each AC, including the definition of any required ancillary equipment or tooling, and an analysis has been performed regarding the impact of introducing the AC on the working environment (i.e. at the assembly hangar) and the safety related aspects and means required for the system to be safely and smoothly deployed at an environment shared with humans, as is the case of the FAL’s assembly stations.
A single aisle aircraft FAL design that incorporates a suitable combination of innovative automation technologies, adapted process flows and correct dimensioning and allocation of human resources, has been finally obtained. The overall automation scenario proposed will be capable of fulfilling high rate production requirements with a reduction in the recurring costs, while enabling a positive business case in comparison to a traditional assembly line, providing substantial competitive advantages in the context of aircraft final assembly hangars with regard to the current production reality.
The last outcome of the project has consisted in the obtaining of a set of design and adaptation proposals for the current aircraft FAL scenario in order to enable and facilitate a more efficient implementation in it of the automation system concepts proposed and developed in ACOTAAL.
TECNALIA, as unique developer of ACOTAAL project, is the owner of all the project results developed along the project. With regard to the exploitation path that will be pursued by TECNALIA for the project’s outcomes it is important to remind that TECNALIA is a research and technological development centre whose mission is to identify and develop business opportunities through applied research. However TECNALIA is not a robot manufacturer or a robotic integrator that provides turn-key production solutions, so it is not able to finally deliver them to the market alone. This means that the final implementation phase and commercialization in the market of the automation solutions result of this project should be fulfilled by third parties with such roles. Therefore, for attaining an effective exploitation of the project results, Tecnalia plans to negotiate with European companies which fit in within the above mentioned profiles. The envisaged options to achieve it are through consulting services and technology transfer projects or to reach to exploitation agreements, including license agreements of eventually previously protected or patented results, with the interested companies.
