Broetje-Automation

The Next Era of Aerospace Manufactoring – Broetje-Automation UK shows latest technologies

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Leading industry specialist from the aerospace and automotive industry discussed with researchers and regional networks how the Factory of the Future will look like and what challenges and opportunities are likely to be faced at a networking event on the 11th of June 2019.

Insight into Broetje-Automation UK

Broetje-Automation invited its guests to a networking forum and open house at its newly established facility in Sandycroft, North Wales. Wulf Heuschen, CEO of Broetje-Automation Ltd emphasized the ambition to engage with the local aerospace and automotive communities: “Broetje-Automation is a team player and we are proud to have such experienced and well-positioned partners in the UK. We are looking forward to expand our business relationships in the region”.

In her key note Dr. Faye Smith, Materials Specialist at the Department for International Trade (DIT) introduced the audience into the world of composites. Dr. Smith’s presentation gave the audience an insight into the UK’s Support for composites and what efforts are being made by leading industry groups, government officials and researchers to ensure that the industry continues to grow in the competitive world of global composite production.

 

"TUCANA" project

With the automotive industry being one of the biggest investors and drivers for the use of composites all eyes were on Dr. Nuno Lourenço from Jaguar Land Rover- Body Engineering. Dr. Lourenço gave a high level summary of the research project TUCANA. The project focuses on developing stiffer and lightweight vehicle technology for the automotive industry. Tucana, brings together a consortium of world-leading academic and industry partners. Led by Jaguar Land Rover, other partners in the project are WMG, University of Warwick, Expert Tooling & Automation Limited, Toray International U.K. Limited, CCP Gransden Lltd, and Magna Exteriors (Banbury) Limited. The project is funded by the government as part of a 10-year programme to make the UK a world-leader in low carbon technology through the modern Industrial Strategy.

Broetje-Automation UK Ltd brought its latest Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) technology to this project supporting the UK automotive industry. The STAXX Fiber Placement Machine Center provides the capability to industrialize the series production of carbon fiber parts for the automotive industry – one of the major goals of the TUCANA project.

Lutz Neugebauer, CEO of the Broetje-Automation Group based in Rastede Germany introduced BA’s product portfolio to the audience. “The United Kingdom has been a key part of our groups’ major markets for years. We are proud to present our newest expansion in the North of Wales; supporting our customers in their industrialization efforts and contribute to the further expansion of industrial production both in the aerospace and automotive industry” said Neugebauer. Demonstrations of the Collaborative Robotics applications as well the latest Automated Fiber placement (AFP) technology of the Broetje-Automation Group gave the audience a practical insight into how manufacturing technology is developing.