Gemcor Production Solutions has officially announced advanced factory integration with automated fastening systems under Ascent Aerospace.
According to certain reports, the integration in question brings forth a specialized wing panel assembly production system and six large C-Frame Gemcor machines that provide fastener feed, drill, countersink, sealant application, swage, shave, and multiple inspection capabilities. More on the same would reveal how it features two product lines with Gemcor accessibility from both sides of the product, as well as eight automated positioning systems for positioning and holding wing panels.
Beyond that, there is a traffic controller in place to deliver at the user’s disposal a coordinated movement between positioning systems, Gemcor machines, and material handling. This aspect, like you can guess, treads up a long distance to provide personnel safety. In case that wasn’t enough, then we must also touch upon the presence of a remote control operation station which enables a single operator to safely monitor and run multiple machines simultaneously.
“We worked directly with Siemens to develop a new motion control solution within Gemcor that supports the SINUMERIK software platform. The ability to execute closed-loop force feedback with drilling and riveting operations with Siemens’ state-of-the-art controller has reduced cycle times while providing a familiar solution for our customers. We pride ourselves at Ascent on our ability to be flexible throughout our design and engineering process, where we work closely with each customer to provide systems that meet specific facility needs and exceed quality expectations,” said Dan Friz, Vice President of Business Development and Sales at Ascent Aerospace.
Talk about Gemcor products on a slightly deeper level, they are best known to include fastening applications that, on their part, provide efficient fastening rates and high productivity for airframers. Not just that, the company’s latest take, in what would be a wide range of technological enhancements, entail incorporating continuous improvement processes into its SCADA system to provide critical data for customer-defined KPIs and clear, customizable reports.
Beyond that, other Gemcor Production Solutions happen to be related with quality inspection capabilities through SCADA machine-level and factory-level integration. Next up, we have modernized solutions that leverage smart manufacturing to cut down significantly on costs.
Then, there is an assortment of vision-based solutions geared towards quality inspection with integrated machine-learning capabilities for increased efficiency. Joining would be a separate collection of process control enhancements which include fastener verification, sealant optimization, edge and feature detection for resync, and debris and chip detection for smoother production.
“The enhanced visual quality inspection with machine learning capabilities, built-in cycle time optimization, and the ability to enable future ‘lights-out’ operations are just a few of the added benefits of Gemcor’s offerings,”, said Michael Hinckley, Director of Strategic Programs at Ascent Aerospace. “Each of these improvements allows our customers to ramp up production and save on costs, with zero compromise on quality. Our customers trust the legacy capabilities of the Gemcor product line, and the integration into Ascent Aerospace has not only solidified the brand, it has enhanced the overall capabilities.”
Hold on, we still have a few bits left to unpack, considering we still haven’t touched on Gemcor’s bid to shrink up cycle times with all-electric head configurations, as well as the company’s high-speed linear head. Another detail worth a mention here is rooted in Gemcor’s Active Panel Protection (APP), something which is further complemented by pressure foot force feedback, deflection, monitoring, and compensation for quality control.
Rounding up highlights for us would be the presence of Ascent Offline Programming (in-house solution), Vericut Drilling and Fastening Simulation System (VDAF), and other software integrations that are made available on request.
“Our goal at Ascent with Gemcor product development has been to increase accuracy, repeatability, and reliability while saving our customers time and resources throughout their manufacturing life-cycle. We have achieved this with the help of industry partners and the dedication and hard work of our talented employees,” said Nick Battle, General Manager – MI at Ascent Aerospace.
