INDUSTRY NEWS
7 ‘GLOBAL AEROSPACE
OUTLOOK 2014’ reveals nine priority markets
INTEGRATED WELDING CELL CUTS PRODUCTION TIMES
AN ABB robotic welding cell is enabling agricultural machinerymanufacturer, Shelbourne Reynolds, to dramatically reduce production times for its range of articulated hedge-cutting tractor attachments. Handling the several hundred welds entailed in the production of the attachments, the cell has so far cut welding process times by 66 per cent compared to the company’s previous manufacturing process. The installation features a specially
ADS Aerospace Growth Partnership technology showcase
A NEW REPORT from aerospace trade organisation, ADS Group (@ADSGroupUK), reveals nine countries that should take top priority in helping the UK sector achieve its ambitious growth plans as the global market continues to thrive. According to the report, emerging aerospace markets such as Brazil, Japan, Mexico and South Korea will increasingly drive global growth. Additionally, markets already delivering strong exports to the UK such as China, USA, Canada, India and Russia will continue to play an important role and should remain a key focus. With market projections forecasting a requirement for
29,000 new large civil airliners, 24,000 business jets, 5,800 regional aircraft and 40,000 helicopters by 2032, the right prioritisation and strategy will be critical in maximising the opportunity for UK industry. “This is an extremely exciting time for the UK aerospace
industry. Last year, we saw a seven per cent increase in the number of large aircraft delivered and, with global demand continuing to grow, there are some great opportunities for UK companies. The Aerospace Growth Partnership, a unique partnership between the UK government and aerospace industry, is encouraging new investment in technology, skills and the supply chain to ensure we remain globally competitive. The UK is recognised as a leader in the development and manufacture of some of the most complicated and high tech parts of modern aircraft,” commented Paul Everitt, chief executive of the ADS Group. The latest commercial aircraft UK order and delivery data,
released by ADS on 30 April 2014, reveals a record first quarter for aircraft deliveries in 2014. The figures reveal that 302 single-aisle and widebody aircraft were delivered in the first three months of the year – a 35 per cent increase on Q1 in 2011, and 7.5 per cent more than the same period last year. Experts predict that the order backlog – currently standing
at 11,318 aircraft and 20,202 engines –will continue to grow as orders come in throughout the course of the year. The order backlog is thought to equate to around nine years work in hand for companies in the UK, offering much-needed security to many thousands of aerospace companies and workers, as well as the broader UK economy.
adapted version of ABB’s FlexArc cell, which brings together a robot, positioner and the welding equipment needed for the process into one integrated package. Installed as the latest step in a drive to automate Shelbourne Reynolds’ Suffolk factory, the cell is used to handle the company’s more difficult and time- consuming welding tasks. As well as the hedge-cutting attachment, the cell is also used to produce other equipment, including a grain stripper and subassemblies for combine harvester headers, both of which involve complex welds. “We introduced a cut-off point whereby anything that previously took an hour or more to weld was allocated to the robot cell,” explained Michael Scarfe, Manufacturing Manager, Shelbourne Reynolds. The result has been a significant reduction in welding times, with products now being welded in one-third of the time previously required. Not only that, but complex welds, such as those involving welding around pipes and tubes, are now
performed to amuch higher aesthetic standard than previously. For Shelbourne Reynolds, a key benefit
has been the freeing of the manual welders who previously made the products now being produced by the cell. Compared to the previous team of six needed to handle the welding process, the robotic cell now only needs one team member to supervise one of two production shifts. “It would be true to say that some of the
team were understandably apprehensive when we first introduced the idea of a robotic welding cell,” admitted Scarfe. “However, the idea was always to use it to complement, not replace, our manual operations.” Proof of this is demonstrated by the fact
that no-one has been made redundant since the cell was introduced. Instead, workers have been re-deployed to add value to other production processes, including fast turnaround tasks and those which are too large for the cell to handle. “Finding skilled staff is very hard,
particularly when it comes to processes such as welding and plating.We are therefore very keen to hang onto the people we’ve got and to find ways to utilise their expertise in the manufacture of other products,” said Scarfe.
FRONIUS UK WELDING DIVISION has opened a new facility in East Kilbride, Scotland. This is its second site, expanding its presence throughout the UK and providing a more localised service to Fronius’ Scottish customers. The new facility, part of its growth
FRONIUSUKOPENS NEWUKFACILITY Fronius U.K. Ltd, a subsidiary
strategy, houses offices, a service/repair centre, warehouse and demonstration area and sees the Scottish team increase to eight with the potential of creating more jobs in the area by the end of 2014. This brings the total number of current Fronius employees in the UK to 56.
of Fronius International GmbH, has appointed a sales manager for the North, James Anderson, to head the new site. James has over 13 years of experience in the welding industry, five of which he has spent with Fronius. Fronius provides solutions for MIG/MAG, TIG, electrode, laser hybrid, plasma and resistance spot welding. The portfolio of products, all manufactured in Austria, also includes an extensive range of automation products.
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