robots-kuka11Kuka Aerospace announced this week that it plans to open a new 29,000 square foot facility in Everett, marking the second U.S. location for the German robot maker. It also operates a facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

The new plant next to Boeing in Everett will employ 75 people when fully operational, and serve as a service and maintenance hub.

The company’s manufacturing and assembly technologies include automated systems, from static and mobile robotic drilling and fastening cells to entire assembly lines. The company is working directly with Boeing on a system known as Fuselage Automated Upright Build or FAUB, which allows for more efficient manufacturing of 777X aircraft by using robots to install the fuselage’s nearly 60,000 fasteners. Presently, those fasteners are installed by hand.

“This is the first time such technology will be used by Boeing to manufacture widebody commercial airplanes and the 777 program is leading the way,” Elizabeth Lund, Boeing Vice President and General Manager of the 777 program and Everett site, said in a statement announcing the news in July.

Meanwhile, you can watch how Boeing is using robots to paint airplanes in a matter of minutes, doing so faster than humans with a technique called Automated Spray Method.


And, if you think, Kuka can just build airplanes, you’re wrong. Check out this Kuka robot taking on ping pong champ Timo Boll. Enjoy!

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