Airborne Composites and Siemens have opened what they say is the first ‘digital factory’ in Ypenburg, the Netherlands.
The companies says the factory will focus on the digitalization of all business processes including design, simulation, production planning, production, feedback and testing as well as supply chain management.
‘While manual manufacturing is still the global standard for the composites sector, Airborne and Siemens are working on automating and digitalizing the production process here in The Hague,’ said Ingrid van Engelshoven, The Hague’s deputy mayor. ‘Not only does that present fantastic opportunities to do research into new applications for composites and manufacture them at a lower price, but also to stimulate job opportunities by reclaiming the manufacturing industry for the Netherlands.’
‘This collaboration between Siemens and Airborne is groundbreaking, because for the first time ever the total engineering and production process of high quality composite products for exacting industries such as the aviation industry are being integrated, automated and digitalized,’ said Frans van de Ven, Airborne director. ‘This can drive down costs substantially and reduce the time to market significantly.’
The factory will have three components: a business case for composite manufacturing, a knowledge hub, and an experience center, where training sessions, workshops, plenary meetings and demonstrations are held.
This story is reprinted from material from Airborne Composites, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
