Automated Bonding Technology Targets Faster, More Consistent Aerospace Assembly
Click Bond, a manufacturer of adhesive-bonded fastening and assembly technologies for aerospace and defense applications, has partnered with STROCO Manufacturing, an aerospace and defense manufacturer of sheet metal parts, machined components, and assemblies, to introduce its new Automated Bonding Technology (ABT) in a production environment.
STROCO will be the first customer to implement the technology, with full production targeted by the end of 2026 alongside required customer and end-user First Article Inspection approvals.
According to Click Bond, ABT combines Class 1 laser surface preparation with controlled adhesive dispensing to reduce variability associated with manual preparation methods. The company stated that the system can complete surface preparation and adhesive dispensing in as little as 30 seconds and can make the bonding process up to seven times faster than manual methods.
STROCO will deploy the CBA-100 Nutplate Preparation System, which uses automated laser ablation to prepare nutplate bonding surfaces, and the CBA-200 Desktop Bracket Preparation System, which performs automated surface preparation on metallic brackets.
For aerospace manufacturers, the technology is intended to improve repeatability while reducing operator dependence and shortening preparation time. Click Bond also stated that the automated process is designed to support more efficient production workflows and a safer production environment.
Chris Williamson, Vice President and General Manager of STROCO Manufacturing, said the company sees the technology as a way to improve precision, speed, and consistency while reducing variability in its bonding processes.
The partnership represents the first production implementation of Click Bond’s ABT platform and will provide an early test of the technology in aerospace and defense manufacturing operations.
Source: Click Bond / STROCO Manufacturing