Airbus A400M CAWDE

The CAWDE (Composite Automated Wing Drilling Equipment) is a custom 5-axis machine tool is constructed to enable fully automated drilling and slave-bolt insertion. The CAWDE has been used for fastening composite and metallic wingbox components including composite wing covers drilled and bolted to composite spar assemblies and metallic ribs. In addition, metallic components such as engine pylon reinforcings are drilled by the machine.

The basic configuration of the machine is a traveling column post mill with a 5 axis head. The head provides gap-closing pressure and shuttles process tools to the toolpoint during drilling and fastening cycles. The machine travels the length of the wing assembly jig. The wing box is tooled in the jig with the forward spar and pylons located near the floor. After completing processing of one surface the machine is transported to the opposite surface of the wingbox.

The operator station on the CAWDE is a ride-on platform to reduce operator fatigue. The platform is close to the toolpoint to enable good visibility of the machine operation. To minimize the machine envelope during transport, the platform folds up. A touchscreen HMI provides context-sensitive interaction with the control for the operator, reducing information overload. Additionally, pertinent CNC information such as toolpoint position, operator messaging, and part program viewing are displayed on a second LCD monitor. A third display shows the camera views. Software for the camera system displays all views in split screen or zooms to magnify the optical resync camera view to full screen for best resolution. Other features at the operator station include shadow boxes with space for all tooling that is changed out by diameter, and the fastener feed drop tubes. A hold-to-run pendant may be used to jog the machine and start/stop part programs.