This April 21 we celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day, an opportunity to reflect on the importance of creativity and innovation in the aeronautical industry, especially in the manufacturing processes of aerospace parts in which M&M Group is one of the major references in the national and international market.
It should be remembered that the development and innovation in the manufacturing processes of aeronautical parts is essential to improve the quality, efficiency and safety of aircraft, as they are critical components for their operation. Thus, the introduction in recent years of new technologies, such as, for example, 3D printing or additive manufacturing, has allowed greater precision and customization in the manufacture of aeronautical parts. These technologies have also reduced production times and costs, leading to greater efficiency in manufacturing processes.
In addition, innovation has also improved the quality and strength of aeronautical parts, which has improved the safety and durability of aircraft. The introduction of new materials, such as composite materials, has enabled the creation of lighter and stronger parts, which has improved fuel efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, helping to create a more sustainable world.
At M&M Group we have implemented and are working on several projects along these lines of innovation that help the company to be at the forefront of the development of Industry 4.0:
DEEPEST, efficient sheet metal drawing simulation (implemented).
- Reduction of waste generation.
- Improved process efficiency, thus minimizing the failure rate in forming operations, thanks to process simulation for virtual tuning.
- Reduction of defect rates and reprocessing operations.
- Improved heat treatments = electricity savings.
GreenBath, “greener” surface treatments (implemented).
- Improved process efficiency.
- Reduced electricity and natural gas consumption.
- Reduced chemical consumption.
ACTIVAL, technology for more sustainable aviation (in development)
- Development of environmentally sustainable treatments eliminating the use of toxic chemical compounds, such as hexavalent chromium.
- Reduction of direct emissions of volatile organic compounds by eliminating their use.
- Improved corrosion resistance properties through the use of non-polluting inhibitors.
- Reduction of production times, which leads to an increase in line capacity, improving production efficiency.
- Reduction of waste and scrap generation.
- Reduction of energy consumption.
AUTOTREAT, development of a smart power supply (under development)
- Reduces lead time and scrap by 20 % by modifying any deviations due to material, geometry changes and contact problems.
- This improvement reduces energy consumption by 87%, water consumption by 26%, CO2 emission by 64%, waste generation by 81% and atmospheric emission of Cr (VI) by 29%.
- The project is respectful of the environment and the health and safety of workers, as it avoids the use of products listed in Annex XIV of REACH SVHC (substances of very high concern).
- This project has received funding from the Eurostars-3 joint program with co-funding from CDTI and the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Program for Research and Innovation, and its execution period began in October 2022 and will end in January 2025.
* This information reflects only the opinion of M&M Group; neither CDTI nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
