Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • March 2023
    • December 2022
    • SHOWCASE 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. Showcase 2024
    2. September 2023
    3. June 2023
    4. March 2023
    5. December 2022
    6. SHOWCASE 2023
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    3rd November 2023

    In this Issue – Showcase 2024

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this Issue – Showcase 2024

    3rd November 2023

    In this Issue – September 2023

    30th August 2023

    In this Issue – June 2023

    7th June 2023
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Industry News

Airbus wing production and testing improved with “bouncy castle” barrier

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson8th March 20192 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
airbus inflatable barrrier
The inflatable barrier at Airbus in Broughton. Pictured: Jose-Angel Gonzalez-Domingo (Cranfield University) along with Airbus' Kevin Forster, Conor Warnock, Chris Horton, Jonathan Reid and Chris Allen next to the inflatable part of the barrier

A research project at the Airbus factory in Broughton in the UK has developed a way for wing manufacturing to continue while testing is carried out.

The two-year project installed an inflatable barrier, which has been nicknamed “the bouncy castle”, on the A320 wing assembly line and keeps operators safe while speeding up aircraft production.

The project, a collaboration between Airbus Research and Technology, Cranfield University and the Airbus Systems Test Group was led by Cranfield research fellow José-Angel Gonzalez-Domingo and improves the installation process for hydraulic systems during A320 wing production.

Gonzalez-Domingo said, “First, I looked at making the hydraulic tests quicker, but realized they were already very well optimized. “Instead, I came up with an idea that would allow operators to keep working safely on the leading edge of the wing during the testing by using a simple barrier system with an inflatable device for rapid deployment.”

The inflatable barrier was introduced on the shop floor in August 2018 and is now saving over seven hours in the cycle time of the whole wing manufacture. It has also eliminated the need for construction of bays that were being built to increase the production of A320, saving a combined total of €2.5 million (US$2.8 million).

“Before the inflatable barrier, no one could work on the wing while the hydraulic tests were being carried out, as there is corrosive fluid inside the wing pipeline.” said Gonzalez-Domingo. “The tests would take around 12 hours, which was a huge amount of production time to lose.”

By putting a barrier under the leading edge to create an isolated area, operators can continue to work safely. “The barrier is quick and easy to install,” said José. “It inflates within 30 seconds and adapts to the shape of the wing, providing an airtight seal.”

The barrier uses a combination of telescopic screen trolleys and an inflatable wall placed under the wing, which connect to the conventional barriers and protect operators from any hydraulic fluid leaks that occur when the wing is under pressure.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleRolls-Royce pulls out of Boeing NMA engine competition
Next Article Airbus celebrates 50 years since first Concorde test flight
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Industry News

Emirates to build simulator centre

22nd February 20232 Mins Read
Industry News

Parker completes Meggitt acquisition

5th October 20222 Mins Read
Industry News

Last chance to register for the Aerospace Testing Symposium 2022

21st September 20223 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Wisk completes unmanned BVLOS test flights in New Zealand

5th December 2023

Dassault’s Falcon 6X biz jet enters service

5th December 2023

Lilium picks Honeywell for thermal management in eVTOL

5th December 2023
Supplier Spotlight
  • Tyto Robotics
    Tyto Robotics Inc.
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Free Email Newsletters
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.