Boost through innovation
Aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers operate in an industry that has always aimed high - in the truest sense of the word. The potential is huge because the global demand for mobility is increasing. However, those who want to participate in this growth must face numerous challenges: Global competition, supply bottlenecks, increasing pressure on sustainability and innovation and the ongoing shortage of skilled workers are just a few examples that repeatedly cause turbulence in the aviation sector long before an aircraft takes off and demand great navigational skills from the companies involved. The challenges in space technology are also great. Components for rocket propulsion systems or satellites have to withstand the extreme conditions on the way to and in space. High-performance titanium or nickel alloys are machined in highly specialized processes, while batch sizes of 1 contribute to the economic challenge in most cases.
Transformation of an entire industry
As a result of these challenges, Aviation & Space has been undergoing a far-reaching transformation process for some time now. On the one hand, the industry traditionally invests for the long term, as the development of new aircraft often takes over ten years and space projects are also designed for long periods of time. On the other hand, market fluctuations or supply bottlenecks require a high degree of flexibility these days. Furthermore, investments are not only imperative for reasons of competitiveness. Ambitious sustainability targets also play a decisive role. No other industry is under so much pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions. It should even be possible to fly emission-free by 2050. Alternative drive technologies, lightweight construction and new materials are therefore on the rise. The development of hydrogen aircraft, electric short-haul jets and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is in full swing. However, the integration of these technologies is costly, time-consuming and places new demands on infrastructure and logistics. Companies that adapt to sustainable solutions at an early stage and enter into partnerships with innovative technology providers will gain a decisive competitive advantage.
Focus industry for pioneering CNC technologies
Such partnerships are already essential in production, where a large proportion of investments are made. In machine tool manufacturing in particular, Aviation & Space is an undisputed focus sector because the quality of aircraft components - for the protection of passengers - and the reliability of aerospace components have top priority. Certifications such as AS9100 for the production of new aviation components ensure high quality standards. In addition, the requirements for high cost-effectiveness are enormous because small batch sizes with high variance dominate. Added to this are a wide variety of applications. Aluminum alloys with high removal rates are just as common as high-priced titanium and nickel alloys, which are machined on stable machining centers. Complex geometries are also common. Due to these and other requirements, cooperation with customers from the Aviation & Space sector has repeatedly led to innovative manufacturing solutions at DMG MORI, which continue to set standards in precision and productivity to this day. The pioneering applications range from efficient 5-axis simultaneous milling with high cutting volumes to the precision machining of difficult-to-cut materials in turbine technology and rocket construction through to the additive manufacturing of weight-optimized structural components.
Holistic manufacturing solutions with integrated and automated processes
These CNC technologies, which are still the key technologies today, enable DMG MORI to develop ever more economical manufacturing solutions that also meet increasing quality requirements. They are based on the concept of Machining Transformation (MX), which combines process integration, automation, Digital Transformation (DX) and Green Transformation (GX). On the one hand, more and more work steps - milling, turning, grinding, measuring, etc. - are taking place in a single set-up, while flexible automation solutions reduce manual intervention to a minimum. This increases process reliability and relieves the burden on skilled workers who are needed in work preparation and programming. On the other hand, digital products support entire production processes - from order planning and programming to quality control and seamless traceability. With such sophisticated manufacturing solutions, DMG MORI optimizes machine capacities, material usage and energy consumption, which in turn has a positive effect on sustainability goals.
Ready for the future
Aviation & Space is and remains a long-haul industry that is reaching for the stars. All players must plan ahead and invest early. As complex as the challenges are, they offer many opportunities. Companies that remain flexible, think ahead technologically and are not afraid to invest in partnerships and innovations will survive in the long term, even in a volatile market. With a strong focus on ever more intelligent and sustainable manufacturing processes, DMG MORI creates precisely the solutions that aircraft manufacturers, aerospace experts and their suppliers need today in order to remain at flight level in the long term.