The surface preparation of the fuselage prior to painting is largely done manually in the Aerospace Industry; utilizing scrubbers, sanders, chemicals, and manlifts resulting in safety and ergonomic issues without delivering a consistent result. The automation of the process employing robots, vision systems, machine movers, and automated process equipment provided the following benefits: Improved Safety and Ergonomics. Reduced exposure to hazardous materials and working conditions. Improved Consistency and Quality. Improved Production Capabilities and Reduced Labor Costs. Reduced Material UsageLess weightLower environmental risksLower cost. This paper will describe the equipment used and the process changes required to automate the surface preparation process, then discuss the benefits that were realized.
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