Rotor blades, guide vanes and other components for jet engines are made from costly materials and machined to precise tolerances. Such components are typically made in batches, due to the time involved in setting up machine centers. The process also requires a fair number of people to tend the machines and assist in changeover.
However, new technology is changing that scenario. At its assembly plant in Munich, Germany, MTU Aero Engines has developed an automated production process that can operate autonomously for 66 hours.