Virtek, Plataine partner on integrated aerospace manufacturing system

Virtek (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) and Plataine (Waltham, Mass., U.S.) have announced a collaborative partnership to integrate Plataine’s Total Production Optimization (TPO) software with Virtek’s LaserEdge ply layup system for aerospace manufacturers. This combination is said to enable manufacturers to improve productivity by tracking work in process, assets and materials in real time. 

Plataine’s software is designed to continuously collect data from factory floor sensors to provide complete visibility and traceability across a manufacturer’s inventory, work orders, machines and tools. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based alerts and recommendations are said to ensure that operators select the right material for each job, perform tool maintenance at the right time, and optimally release jobs for production to minimize bottlenecks and shorten time-to-market. Plataine’s technology also creates a digital thread that records each step of the manufacturing process, from raw material to end product, intended to improve quality control and ensure customers are audit-ready.

The integration of Virtek’s LaserEdge with Plataine’s solution is said to enable better on-the-fly production decisions by giving production floor operators and managers real-time manufacturing data including work status, work in process and deadlines to maximize on-time, on-quality delivery of parts to aerospace customers.

“As production variation and manufacturing volumes continually increase, relying on manual processes, Excel and paperwork often leads to production delays, material waste and quality risks,” says Avner Ben-Bassat, president and CEO of Plataine. “Our partnership with Virtek brings a unique offering to the market that will enable composite part fabricators implement the factory of the future to dramatically enhance their operations.”

“Virtek is constantly re-imagining ways to simplify complex manufacturing processes. This new offering enables manufacturers to harness real-time data to make better informed decisions throughout the production process. It enables manufacturers to become more efficient, shorten production turnaround times and reduce costs,” says Tom Kane, senior vice president and general manager of Virtek.