Ankara: The Turkish defense industry is making significant strides in manufacturing by incorporating next-generation industrial robots, a technology that has permeated various sectors such as automotive, aviation, shipbuilding, and construction machinery.
According to Anadolu Agency, Intecro Robotics, a prominent Turkish company, is at the forefront of developing and implementing robot-based industrial production systems across multiple sectors. Ali Sen, the company's chair, highlighted the widespread adoption of robotics technology, noting its critical role in the defense and aviation sectors. He emphasized that global trends have led to increased integration of next-generation production technologies, particularly in ammunition and rocket production, enhancing mass production, speed, and performance-focused manufacturing. Intecro initiated its journey into robot-based production systems in the defense industry in 2013.
Intecro has collaborated with major Turkish defense firms, including MKE, Roketsan, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), and Aselsan. Sen underscored the importance of digital twins-virtual models of the physical product or process-and sensor fusion, which involves multiple sensors working together to generate production data, as emerging technologies in modern manufacturing.
Intecro has established production lines for various weapons and ammunition systems, such as penetrating bombs and infantry rifles for MKE, and atomic ammunition for Aselsan. The company is also developing mass production technologies for other defense systems, showcasing its commitment to advancing manufacturing capabilities.
Intecro's robots are set to play a pivotal role in welded production processes, particularly in assembling high-strength armor steels with precision. These robotic systems possess intuitive and adaptive capabilities, enabling them to detect minor defects and analyze manufacturing errors during pre-welding preparation, enhancing overall production quality.
Serhat Ugural, Intecro's general manager, stated that the company's robotics solutions have been deployed in numerous projects domestically and internationally. He identified aviation, automotive, electromobility, and general industries involving metal processing as the company's primary sectors. Notably, Intecro was instrumental in establishing the majority of production lines at Siro, the firm responsible for producing batteries for Trkiye's electric vehicle brand, Togg, and has developed production technologies for other automakers like Renault and Tofas.
Ugural elaborated on Intecro's sector-specific technology customization through research and development programs, including the 'machine intelligence research and development program,' which enables robots to autonomously analyze, learn, and perform tasks. This self-programming capability has received positive feedback from numerous domestic and international firms.
In addition to defense, Intecro produces robotic production lines for the locomotive and wagon industry, collaborating with Turkish firms like Turasas, Vako Vagon, and Gok Rail. It also develops metal shaping robotic technologies for heavy industry companies such as Isuzu, MAN, Erkunt, Otokar, Bozankaya, Hyundai Rotem, Putzmeister, ZF Sachs, Mahindra, and Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Institution (Tubitak) SAGE.