Airbus commissioned LAP, the German specialists in laser-based measuring and projection technology to provide 220 laser projection systems. LAP won the order in a worldwide tender process against competitors from Germany, Canada and the USA and is now becoming a strategic partner of EADS / Airbus.
Airbus will use the laser projectors in the manufacture of carbon fiber components for wings, fuselage and tail units of the new Airbus A350 XWB to further optimize the efficiency of production.
Carbon-reinforced plastics play a key role in the design of the new A350 XWB, as they will for the first time also be used as fuselage material. Their low weight will have a very positive effect on fuel consumption.
During build-up of the carbon fiber components, the LAP systems will indicate by laser beams where each individual carbon fiber layer has to go. This saves time and money as the components no longer need to be aligned by means of difficult-to-handle templates and complicated measurements. The laser projectors are also used to check the position of the layers during the assembly process. This ensures that any errors in the manufacturing process are precluded at a very early stage.
The projectors guide the operators step by step through the complete process of component build-up. Like an “Electronic Plybook”, the software displays working steps like positioning of carbon fiber plies, but also the exact marking of other part locations in the correct order. All elements are placed in the right position at the right time, verification and documentation are included.
During the next three years, Airbus will install a total of 220 laser projectors at production facilities in Germany, Spain and France. The first projectors will be already shipped in the middle of 2010 to the Aerolia works in Meaulte, France.
Airbus sees LAP as a strong partner with high development potential. For Axel Rieckmann, Manager Sales “General Industry” at LAP, the key criteria for this order from Airbus were the commercial advantages of LAP. “But also our result-oriented and efficiency-driven approach to doing business was certainly an important factor for the decision of Airbus in favor of LAP.”
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