Today’s smaller aerospace manufacturers face challenges on many different levels. They have difficulty hiring due to a wide shortage of factory floor talent to carry out assembly work or tend to machines. To remain competitive on the global stage, they need to keep their manufacturing costs under control, especially as new aircraft programs come online. For many, the best growth path forward is to embrace automation and mechatronics to be able to continue to offer competitive value for the global aerospace supply chain.

Robots have become more affordable and can be configured to do a wide range of operations across the enterprise which preserves margins and makes ROI faster and much more attractive. Aerospace manufacturers will be adding more skilled positions supporting robotics and automation that will change the production line landscape and encourage assembly workers to increasingly adapt to evolving technologies. Robotics provide compelling advantages on the hiring front, offering training opportunities for young people out of high school or technical school who have an interest in mechatronics and automation.

To prepare for this automation transformation, Tool Gauge has started evaluating the medium-sized UR5 collaborative robot (or cobot) designed to work in close proximity with humans by Danish manufacturer Universal Robots. It promises quick, easy set-up and multiple applications without the constraints of traditional industrial robots. It is easy to program and has the ability to sense when a person comes in close proximity in which case it either slows down or stops completely. As part of our 2019 Tacoma manufacturing facility expansion, we foresee using collaborative robots on injection molding machines, CNC metal machining, and in secondary operations for a wide range of applications, specifically repetitive motion work, load / unload, assemblies, etc. Our three main application areas will be larger presses, so we can make all interior aerospace parts, integrated paint line, and robotics themselves as a way to provide a more attractive work environment for our employees. This will enable us to keep our operations in Tacoma, Wash. as well as continue to create living wage jobs and contribute to the economic development of the South Sound region.