Machina Labs Supports Aircraft Sustainment Needs at Robins Air Force Base

The Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base has begun using Machina Labs’ artificial intelligence-enabled manufacturing system to produce parts for the repair and sustainment of aging aircraft.

The portable Machina Deployable System can build parts out of titanium and Inconel, among other lightweight, high-temperature metals that are challenging to form. Product features include two 7-axis robotic arms, tool-changing corral, configurable frame and AI-driven process controls, Machina Labs said.

Sustaining legacy aircraft has been a challenge to the U.S. Air Force as some components needed for repair are no longer in production. Suppliers that are now nonexistent also contributed to the problem.

Other methods for producing aircraft parts exist in the market; however, the process consumes a lot of time. According to Shane Groves, robotics and automation subject matter expert at WR-ALC, the Deployable System speeds up manufacturing components by up to six months compared to traditional approaches.

The system will enable Robins Air Force Base to keep aging aircraft up and running, said Edward Mehr, CEO of Machina Labs.