Ascent Aerospace

Gemcor Production Solutions Delivers Advanced Factory Integration with Automated Fastening Systems under Ascent Aerospace

📅 Date: January 3, 2025

🏢 Organizations: Gemcor, Ascent Aerospace, Siemens

Since 1937, Gemcor Production Solutions (Gemcor) has installed over 2,000 automated fastening systems worldwide, integral to the manufacturing process of aerostructures throughout modern history. Acquired by Ascent Aerospace in 2016, its advantage is its heritage–a patented, roller-screw technology that provides manufacturing flexibility with many benefits, including shorter cycle times, extended life, and cost savings.

For Ascent’s customers, quality and cycle-time reductions were key factors in Gemcor’s innovation. “The enhanced visual quality inspection with machine learning capabilities, built-in cycle time optimization, and the ability to enable future ‘lights-out’ operations are just a few of the added benefits of Gemcor’s offerings,” added Hinckley. “Each of these improvements allows our customers to ramp up production and save on costs, with zero compromise on quality. Our customers trust the legacy capabilities of the Gemcor product line, and the integration into Ascent Aerospace has not only solidified the brand, it has enhanced the overall capabilities.”

Gemcor’s latest technology boasts a fully integrated wing panel assembly production system and six large C-Frame Gemcor machines that provide fastener feed, drill, countersink, sealant application, swage, shave, and multiple inspection capabilities. In addition, two product lines with Gemcor accessibility from both sides of the product, as well as eight automated positioning systems for positioning and holding wing panels. A traffic controller that provides coordinated movement between positioning systems, Gemcor machines, and material handling has been developed to provide personnel safety. In addition, a remote control operation station enables a single operator to safely monitor and run multiple machines simultaneously.

“We worked directly with Siemens to develop a new motion control solution within Gemcor that supports the SINUMERIK software platform,” shared Friz. “The ability to execute closed-loop force feedback with drilling and riveting operations with Siemens’ state-of-the-art controller has reduced cycle times while providing a familiar solution for our customers. We pride ourselves at Ascent on our ability to be flexible throughout our design and engineering process, where we work closely with each customer to provide systems that meet specific facility needs and exceed quality expectations.”

Read more at Industrial Machinery Digest