On the light track

When considering measuring applications, small online probes on metal cutting machines come to mind. But what happens when the item to be measured is a car or a plane?

Because measurement inaccuracies in aerospace and car construction can have enormous negative consequences, quality assurance and measurement technology are paramount.

To ensure quality at its Bremen facility, Airbus uses Leica Geosystems Laser Trackers. The company's engineering and manufacturing functions are centrally managed, but rely on fully integrated cross-functional and trans-national team working practices, which bring together the capabilities and technical knowledge of 16 different locations in Germany, France, Spain and the UK. Each location produces complete aircraft sections, which are subsequently transported for final assembly in Toulouse or Hamburg.

In addition to individual components for the German parts of the aircraft, the Bremen facility produces all the necessary landing flaps for Airbus in the structural assembly process.