Virtual improvement of a historical aircraft assembly line

Abstract

The design of an assembly system is part of the industrialization phase of a product. Traditionally, the industrialization at the conceptual design phase has not been supported by knowledge-based and predictive technologies to the same extent as other aspects of the product development. Today, a full virtualization and control of the process lifecycle, as well as supply-chain, is proposed to reach smooth intercompany operations, providing real-time access to relevant both product and process information for all participating entities. In a previous level, this contribution focuses on the virtual optimization of the assembly system of a subset of a historic aircraft, namely, the Blériot XI. The goals of this work have been directed to optimize the assembly system through virtual tools based on iDMU (industrial Digital Mock-Up) and Airbus know-how in the conceptual design of aircraft assembly systems. Finally, results have been analysed for their possible applications in a FAL (Final Assembly Line) of current small aircrafts.