- Industries
- Factory of the Future
- Products
- Company
- Career
- Contact
The Frame Clip Assembly Cell (FRAC) is a highly flexible and versatile system for automated drilling and fastening of different aircraft components and substructures (e.g. frame, clips, brackets) with most challenging requirements. Broetje-Automation provides a series of different end-effectors that are tailored to different conditions and requirements to enable highest throughput rates and maximum workpiece flexibility.
FRAC systems are capable to be mounted on stationary or mobile robots as well as other positioning systems. They often combine several different end-effectors (e.g. drill-only end-effectors with automatic tool change combined with drillingand riveting multifunctional end-effectors). The systems therefore reach highest automation levels of more than 90% for all kinds of aircraft types.
Technical Data
Riveter
- Drill speed: 0 – 6.000 rpm
- Drill spindle feed: up to 98“/min / 2.500 mm/min
- Countersink repeatability: ± 0.002”/ ± 0.05 mm
- Material: Al/Ti / optional Composite
- Fastener diameter: 0,09” – 0,31” / 2.5 mm – 7.93 mm
- Cycle Time: up to 7 rivets/min
- Clamping force: 22 – 270 lbs / 10 – 120 daN
- Upset force: up to 10,116 lbs / 4,500 daN
Positioner
- Positioning accuracy linear axis: ± 0.008“ / ± 0.2 mm
- Positioning repeatability linear axis: ± 0.004“ / ± 0.1 mm
- Work travel: X-axis: 670 inch / 17,000 mm (not limited)
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationSpecial Features
- Fully automated process
- Automatic Fastener feed and insert with all electric fastening system (AEFS)
- 8/16 slot fastener rack for various fastener sizes & types extendable with additional racks
- Multiple end-effectors for highest automation levels incl. automatic coupling system and automatic tool change
- High speed / precise drill spindle
- No limitation in workpiece length
- Broetje-Automation SCALE sensoric system for in-process quality check (e.g. countersink, workpiece compensation etc.)
- BA SOUL Offline Programming System
- Virtual twin machine and workpiece simulation
Smart Factory instead of Manual Shimming: SHILA Lays the Foundation for Automated Joining Processes in the Aerospace Industry
- Published on 11 June 2026
- Allgemein
- Factory of the Future
- Processes
Rastede, June 2026 – Broetje-Automation, together with its consortium partners 3D.aero GmbH, Boeing, KEBA Industrial Automation, IPMT – Institute for Production Management and ‑Technology and WZL Aachen GmbH, has successfully completed the research project SHILA – “Shim-free assembly of thin-walled aircraft structures” funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The aim of the project was to develop a fully digitally supported and highly automated process chain that enables precise assembly of large-format, thin-walled CFRP structural components without the previous use of shims.
Rasteder Economic Symposium at Broetje-Automation: Exchange, impulses and strong networks
This year’s Rastede Economic Symposium of the municipality of Rastede once again offered entrepreneurs from the region a valuable platform for exchange, inspiration and new contacts. This year’s event was hosted by Broetje-Automation, which welcomed numerous guests from business, politics and society.