American Control & Engineering Services Inc. (ACES) recently executed a patent license agreement with Wichita State University for technology surrounding an automated sanding cell. The cell combines scanning technology and a Cobot, or collaborative robot, to automatically sand surfaces of aircraft components to achieve high-definition finishes. The agreement gives ACES exclusive rights in North America to build and sell the sanding cells within the aviation industry.

Currently, aircraft components are manually sanded by individual operators. The sanding process can be labor-intensive and have undesirable health consequences – including carpal tunnel syndrome. Automating the sanding process results in ergonomic benefits because it allows for decreased repetitive and awkward movements that can lead to operator injury.

Developed by the Emerging Technologies Lab at Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research, the automated sanding cells have the potential to simplify the aircraft component finishing process. This in turn provides the opportunity for increased quality and consistency. With the new system, operators can focus their attention on doing what the Cobot can’t do: quality control and fine details. The result is beautiful finishes with exacting control.

“The agreement provides ACES access to an innovative technology that we believe has opportunity for expanding applications in the aviation industry and beyond,” said Ross Lumbert, CEO of ACES.

The development of the automated sanding cell technology illustrates Wichita State’s continued efforts to create next-gen manufacturing products for high-precision industries, such as aviation.

“Wichita State is proud to partner with local companies to help transfer our innovative technologies to industry,” says Dr. John Tomblin, senior vice president for Industry and Defense Programs at Wichita State. “This is yet another example of our dedication to supporting our local economy through innovation.”

In the coming months, ACES will continue to develop the automated sanding cell technology in partnership with Wichita State. The goal is to have the cell ready for commercial distribution by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

About American Control & Engineering Services, Inc.

ACES is a manufacturing and systems integration company headquartered in Rose Hill, Kansas, that designs, builds and repairs industrial and commercial systems and machines. ACES engineers and technicians travel from Canada to Colombia and from California to Kuwait to install new systems and to restore operation to systems that have experienced catastrophic failure or just need a minor repair.

About Wichita State University

Wichita State University serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 20,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

For more information, follow us on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/wichitastate  and Facebook at  www.facebook.com/wichita.state.

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Wichita State University serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 15,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.