Assembly Automation
for Aerospace

Automation in aerospace manufacturing typically ranges from manual workstations to semi-automated processes and on to highly automated and fully networked manufacturing systems. INVENTUS Assembly Automation helps companies automate individual process steps or entire assembly sequences and adapt them flexibly to new requirements. The focus is on precision, reproducibility, and process reliability.

Automated assembly processes ensure high precision, reproducible results, and consistent product quality. In the field of aircraft ambient lighting, for example, an INVENTUS production line can be used to manufacture up to 30 different product types. Camera-assisted positioning, sensor-controlled joining processes, and integrated verification ensure a high level of process reliability even with a wide variety of product variants.

INVENTUS combines various joining technologies and processes within a modular assembly platform:

• Force-fit joining: Press-fitting, screwing
• Form-fit joining: Snap-fit, hot caulking, riveting
• Material-locking joining: Laser welding, ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, brazing, adhesive bonding, or ACF (Adhesive Clad Film) joints

These methods are complemented by processes such as cleaning, dispensing, marking, printing, and separation, as well as comprehensive testing and verification procedures.

Automation in the aerospace industry refers to the use of machines, robotics, software, and testing technology for the reproducible manufacturing of safety-critical electronic components. The goal is to ensure the highest quality standards, complete documentation, and stable manufacturing processes. Automation plays a crucial role in ensuring reliability and operational safety, particularly in applications such as aircraft lighting and other electronic aerospace components.

The INVENTUS modular system is ASYS’s modular assembly platform. Thanks to standardized functional elements and a flexible cell design, manufacturing systems can be quickly implemented, adapted to new product variants, and expanded as needed. Unlike rigid standard systems, individual cells can be flexibly added, replaced, or recombined.

INVENTUS combines assembly, testing, and automation processes on a single platform. It intelligently integrates joining processes, optical and electrical verification, robotics, material supply, and data analysis to meet the aerospace industry's high quality standards.

To ensure quality, INVENTUS integrates various verification procedures directly into the assembly process. These include visual inspections, electrical tests such as flash, ICT, FCT, or end-of-line tests, as well as physical tests for force, torque, distance, temperature, and leak tightness. This allows each process step to be validated and documented.

The optional climate control module creates controlled environmental conditions directly within the production cell. It supports cleanroom classes ranging from ISO 5 to ISO 8, relative humidity levels from 3% to 70%, and temperatures from 16 °C to 50 °C. This allows sensitive electronic and optical components to be assembled under optimal conditions without having to climate-control the entire production area.