Wing of Tomorrow
Wing of Tomorrow is an Airbus research and development program, building a series of demonstrator wing boxes to mature disruptive approaches to wing manufacturing at volume and pace for the next generation of wing design.
Its purpose is to prepare not only the technologies needed for the next generation of aircraft; but employees, the supply chain, the industrial system, and the company’s physical and digital capabilities, too.
The Digital Assembly for Wing (DAWN) consortium is a technology enabler for Wing of Tomorrow, delivering a Design-to-Operations workflow underpinned by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and DELMIA Apriso Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
What is Project DAWN?
DAWN is an innovative project that aims to revolutionise the assembly of aircraft wings through end-to-end digitalisation, and is a key technology enabler for Airbus Wing of Tomorrow. Led by a consortium of renowned experts from Airbus, Dassault Systèmes, Capgemini, Cranfield University, University of Sheffield, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and the Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS), DAWN focuses on improving process control, reducing concessions and inspections, and decreasing cycle time. This is achieved through digital continuity between engineering design and work preparation, downstream to factory operations connected with advanced manufacturing assets, all validated through the Wing of Tomorrow demonstrator wing boxes.
The project has three primary objectives:
- Firstly, it aims to maintain the United Kingdom’s leading position in aerospace manufacturing, ensuring its global leadership in the field.
- Secondly, DAWN seeks to cultivate a digitally empowered manufacturing workforce in the UK, equipping workers with the necessary digital tools and skills for future demands.
- Lastly, DAWN strives to extend the benefits of its digital solutions to local businesses, enabling them to achieve digital continuity, shop floor connectivity, and effective data management capabilities.
Airbus, the lead partner in the project, will leverage the outcomes of DAWN to establish a Digital Smart Factory, an advanced manufacturing facility that integrates digital technologies and insights from the project to drive efficiency and innovation.
Through its emphasis on process improvement, innovation, and collaboration, DAWN is set to redefine the boundaries of aerospace manufacturing, while reinforcing the UK’s standing as a global leader in the industry. By embracing digitalization and harnessing the collective expertise of its partners, DAWN is poised to revolutionize aircraft wing manufacturing and solidify the UK’s position in the aerospace sector.
What is Dassault Systèmes’ involvement?
Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and Apriso MES underpins the Design-to-Operations workflow on Wing of Tomorrow / DAWN: enabling partner activities ranging from product design, process authoring and robotics, to operations execution and non-conformance management. The Dassault Systèmes DAWN project team has developed innovative prototypes for factory twin, 3D warehousing, ergonomics, VR training and product “as-built” twin.
End-to-end digital continuity
A 3DEXPERIENCE Design Engineer using CATIA apps can create fasteners from a template based on component thickness. Properties such as “min/max torque” are set during design, then carried through to 3DEXPERIENCE DELMIA Process Planning & Work Instructions apps, and into the MES.
The MES interacts with geolocated smart tools to set target torque and capture the actual torque applied. A 3DEXPERIENCE 3DDashboard queries the MOM to show fasteners coloured by torque result on the digital mock-up (DMU).
Process Twin
3DEXPERIENCE DELMIA digital manufacturing capabilities enable simulation of work operations, such as 3D plant layout modelling, ergonomics assessments with 3D motion analysis, and VR operator training.
Operations Twin
DELMIA Apriso was used on Airbus Wing of Tomorrow as the Operations Management suite for Manufacturing Execution, Quality and Warehousing. Work orders were created in Apriso using process plans authored in 3DEXPERIENCE DELMIA, and Apriso was connected to Wing of Tomorrow shop floor equipment to ensure quality and safety in executing operations.
Facility Twin
DELMIA Operations Experience animated the Wing of Tomorrow facility layout model with asset data accessed through web services. This provided display of asset movement & properties with colourisation, environmental sensor information, and embedding of external dashboards linked to assets.
Wing of Tomorrow utilized 3DEXPERIENCE DELMIA Robotics as the programming and simulation solution for flexible work cell and complex manufacturing processes, with smaller robots on a mobile platform offering more flexibility as compared with current large fixed machines.
The DAWN project has played a crucial role in advancing technology development, from initial concept through to demonstration, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the entire consortium. We are optimistic that the innovative technologies and solutions created will contribute significantly to the future of UK aerospace manufacturing.