Less mess manufacturing
September 1st 2008

Upgrading to the Bielomatik MQL (Minimal Quantity Lubrication) twochannel system has paved the way for more efficient automated manufacture of wing panels for the A380 Airbus at Broughton, enabling components to pass through drilling, counter sinking and riveting operations without any residue tool cutting lubricant remaining.

It is said to be a major advance over the previous lubrication operation that was messy, requiring the wings to be cleaned down after drilling and countersinking.

Bielomatik's MQL system enables oil deliveries as low as 3-5mL/hour to be achieved. This means that while drilling, countersinking and spot facing operations are lubricated, the lubricant used is totally lost and metal chips are dry, falling away from the component surface more readily, precisely the type of delivery required on the Airbus wing assembly line where no oil can be allowed to remain in a drilled hole prior to riveting.

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