STUNNING robotic pick and place

A new milestone in the assembly of the STUNNING fuselage demonstrator.

The robotic pick-and-placement and tacking of 28 stringers omega stringers has been completed. SAM XL engineers have incorporated the end-effector in the gantry cobot system, programmed the positions and operated the system with the assistance of the GKN Fokker crew.

This multifunctional demonstrator will make a major contribution towards new aircraft manufacturing processes, significantly lowering the ecological footprint throughout the aircraft lifecycle. Thermoplastic composite technologies are applied, allowing to assemble most of the structural parts by welding.

The pick & place and ultrasonic tacking end-effector was developed by FADA-CATEC, the Spanish partner in the TCTOOL consortium, which was led by TWI (UK).