“Urban Space. Rural Space. Cyberspace! Innovations for a Digital World": Airbus APWorks developed an excellent innovation for a digital World

Ottobrunn, 24 June 2015 – The Airbus APWorks GmbH got awarded as a „Landmark in the Land of Ideas" in the German competition „Germany Land of Ideas“ 2015. The “Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” competition honors ideas and projects that stand as beacons for Germany as a location. [ more... ]

The goal of the “Germany – Land of Ideas” initiative and Deutsche Bank is to make innovations visible in Germany and abroad and to strengthen the economic potential and sustainability of Germany as a location. 2015, under the theme “Urban Space. Rural Space. Cyberspace! Innovations for a Digital World” projects from Germany were sought that show and push ahead the potential of digitization.

APWorks got awarded in recognition of the development of a monitoring system that digitalizes and inspects the quality of the CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) production process. More than 1000 applications were handed in. The 100 most forward-looking ideas were awarded that show how the digitized world can be shaped in sustainable ways: projects from business, culture, science, environment, education, and society that serve as role models.

Being more light and stiff in comparison to steel, products out of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) are used in the aerospace industry. Today quality control is done by manual inspection, costing significant time and money. The monitoring system provides quality standards and optimized processes across various production facilities. The quality data is collected, digitalized, and the production advances one step closer to Industry 4.0. APWorks’ long-term vision is for a totally connected, digital production environment, which would include additional sensors for automatic inspection and monitoring of other steps in composite manufacturing.

Ariane Derks, Managing Director „Germany - Land of Ideas“ handed over the award „Landmark in the Land of Ideas“ together with Tom Enders, Airbus Group Chief Executive Officer, and Franz Engel, Project Manager Airbus APWorks: „Airbus APWorks demonstrates how to automate the production of a highly valuable material using digital technologies. The monitoring system is an impressive demonstration of digital innovation in Germany“, states Ariane Derks.

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