Aerospace Manufacturing Robotic Painting for High-Mix Low-Volume Aircraft Components Production

The aerospace manufacturing industry faces challenges in implementing robotics and automation in its manufacturing process due to the nature of high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) production which produces parts with high variants but low quantities. Designing a system that can accommodate all types of products is challenging, especially with the requirement to handle multiple products continuously throughout the process. This paper aims to design an automated painting system capable of handling more than 300 different products in an aerospace manufacturing setup. The system integrates several technologies including a robotic arm, tray handling system, and vision system, making it flexible to adapt to changes in production demand. Effective communication between these technologies enables the automated painting process to deliver aerospace-grade painting quality.