Aernnova experience on automatic drilling operations started in 1,999. The company signed a new contract with Embraer, to design, manufacture and assembly several structures of the model 170. It was big news for the company. But after that minute of pride, manufacturing engineering people of the company started to think about the process to assemble those big panels of the Horizontal Stabilizer, Vertical Stabilizer and Rear Fuselages in the best Quality and Cost. There were a lot of rows of rivets to install. Some ideas arisen, but the final decision was to forget the available processes at that time and think about to automate the drilling, countersink and riveting of the stringers, doublers and window frames to the panels. There were a lot of doubts, figures to do and obstacles, but the company took the decision of going ahead with that process. That step changed the state of the art at that time in the company. The investment was important, the risks were high, and the beginnings were tough, as usual. During these years, the company has improved the process, reviewing thoroughly every step and every cycle, in order to improve the process and minimize the loss of time, wastes and the stops. Due to those improvements, nowadays, the company has a very smooth process, products with high quality and in the best possible cost. There is no other way of being able to install more than 20 millions of rivets within less than 13 years.
展开▼
