Each automation project begins with the desire to perform an established task, or never before performed task in the most technically feasible and cost effective manner. The desire to automate is typically accompanied by anticipated improvements in quality, throughput, and reductions in production cost.
The ideal situation would involve supplier evaluation of a project in its infancy, and recommendation of an approach before any bias by the project implementation team can take hold.
Unfortunately, today's practices usually invite suppliers of automation technology to participate and provide input long after key (early) decisions are made, which significantly hamper the supplier's offering and in turn limit the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of the approach. The supplier, as a result of the early key decisions, may be “handcuffed,” forced to work with tooling, clearance, or equipment which is less than optimal for the type of automation which the supplier can best fit to the application.
GEMCOR's paper will address issues and cite examples integral to the conceptual approach decision making process, factors which affect these decisions, and how conveyance of this information could help the airframe manufacturer make cost effective, automation wise decisions.