Kuka Systems develops robotic riveting system for Boeing 777 wide-body fuselage assembly

When the Boeing 777X twin-aisle passenger jet goes into full production for its debut in 2020, each fuselage will be built using automation technology developed as part of a collaborative effort by the airplane-maker and the Kuka Systems Aerospace Group.

The robotic pulse production line, known as the Fuselage Automated Upright Build (FAUB), will be the baseline manufacturing process for the 777X and, before that, for assembling fuselages for current 777 models. It's the first time Boeing will use such technology to manufacture wide-body commercial airplanes.

The pulse line uses guided Kuka robots equipped with end effectors manufactured by another Kuka company, Alema Automation, to do the riveting currently performed by workers using hand-held tools. The robots will work on the forward and aft sections, installing up to 60,000 fasteners per 777 fuselage.