Development and systematization of generic principles to support the assembly of large-scale products

Theme XXL products
Project title Development and systematization of generic principles to support the assembly of large-scale products (XXL-Montagehilfen)
Project duration 01.10.2011 – 30.09.2013
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The aim of the research project is the development and systematization of generic (partially automated) principles to support the assembly of XXL products. Large-scale producers get support to select, design and manufacture installation aids for large components (e.g. large conveyor systems). The opportunities provided by the project can shorten the development process of assembly aids and thus contribute to reducing development costs and improving product quality.

Publications about the project

The range of structure sizes for industrial products produced today is increasingly expanding. This trend is evident in both small-scale (e.g. semiconductor applications) and large-scale (e.g. wind turbine rotors) products. While definitions already exist for smaller scale device structures, the conceptual distinction between conventional large products and large scale products is currently insufficient. In this study, we present a potential basis for the definition of large scale products. To achieve this, we derive hypotheses and examine these in the context of an empirical study using the examples of several sample products. It is shown that the transition from conventional products to large scale products is characterized by a disproportionate increase in product costs due to the augmentation of a characteristic product feature. Eventually we derive a proposed definition which characterizes large scale products in the field of production engineering.

xxl-product, large-scale, xxl, definition

In this paper, a novel, widely usable gripper system for craneless and weather-independent assembly of rotor blades for offshore wind turbines is presented. This gripper system was developed in the context of the research project "XXL Assembly aids" of the IPH - Institute of Integrated Production Hannover gGmbH.

assembly aid, wind energy plan, xxl-products

Growing XXL products reach dimensions that are no longer manageable by humans without innovative technological support. Therefore (semi-)automated assembly aids for the final assembly of large components are needed. The assembly of XXL-products is similar to the construction of prototypes. The aim is to avoid redundant new developments and designs of installation aids and to make them available across processes. In addition to presenting a method to systematize and select the right installation aid, the development of a gripper system for craneless and thus weather-independent assembly of rotor blades for offshore wind turbines is shown in this paper.

assembly aid, wind energy plan, xxl-products

Sponsor

The project no. 11.2-76221-99-2/10 was part of the joint research project Innovations for the manufacturing of large scale products funded by the Ministry for the Economy, Labour and Transport of Lower Saxony and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, Construction, Transport and Digitalization.

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Your contact person

Dr.-Ing.

Benjamin Küster

Manager production automation