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Industry Insight: Win new and high value contracts with confidence in your CNC production capability.
Look to case studies for best practice. BAE Systems, for example, have had these tools in place on their F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program since its conception because of the high-precision and consistency needed on the parts. Talk to experts. This will make any adaption seamless and minimise the impact on your processes, so you can start seeing the positive changes as soon as possible. If you want to chat about anything discussed in this insight, please email info@mspltd.com.
tool setting and checking system means new tools can be verified first and used without issue. Fixturing Generic systems allow fixturing to be quickly designed and configured, multiple fixture sets can be easily made, fixture improvements are simple to implement. Fixtures can be shared between machines. Probing Arguably the most important tool which brings everything together. First, having an automated probe calibration routine is essential for repeatable, accurate probing results. Then on-machine probing makes automated part alignment and inspection possible and removes the requirement for expensive bespoke datum fixturing. The automation means part setup procedures are repeatable in terms of both time and accuracy. It also allows for the raw parts’ condition of supply to be verified before machining, essential for taking on new suppliers. In this post-pandemic era, where there is still a lot of uncertainty, the quickest to adapt will survive. And as we’ve touched on, this doesn’t mean overhauling everything and starting from scratch. Flexible tools can be introduced incrementally, one production section at a time, using existing equipment and resources. They’re there to enhance, not completely transform.
Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on civilian aircraft production, there has been a move towards more flexible processes and companies looking to expand into other industries to protect their businesses should an event like this happen again. It is often thought redefining machining processes in the aerospace industry is challenging as the sector is tightly controlled and processes are usually set up for specific sets of parts. In this Industry Insight, we share the simple ways you can create efficiencies inside the rigid boundaries of aerospace manufacturing. The key is to have a highly accurate but flexible manufacturing system where new parts can be seamlessly introduced with confidence, with limited customisation. Below we have listed a range of generic manufacturing tools that, when used together, can achieve this: CAM and Simulation This allows part processes to be developed offline using standard machining processes for different materials and features. Programs can be written and tested before the first raw part is even delivered. Tooling and Tool Setting Generic tool holding allows new tools to be introduced for different materials easily by your tooling provider. Using an on-machine
Benefits • Reduced lead time and prove-out time of new part processes. • Work can be assigned to any available machine. • Operator training is only needed for each system, not each part set. • Once generic systems are in place, they can be easily replicated for new cells and/or sites. • Most of all, a controlled manufacturing system with high accuracy and repeatability gives you the confidence to go after high value contracts or enter emerging industries, such as Additive Manufacturing.
Airframe Designs Accelerates into Additive Manufacturing
Jerrod Hartley, Owner and CEO of Airframe Designs, said:
The capital investments into the new facility include a new Stratasys Fortus 450mc FDM printer, capable of printing a wide range of aerospace grade polymers for both airworthy parts and tooling applications. Alongside the Stratasys machine, the facility also operates large and small format industrial FDM printers with a maximum build volume of 1100 x 500 x 820mm. The large format printer is primarily aimed at printing PLA to enable AFD to produce a wide variety of cost-effective structures including mock-ups, trial-fit parts, and various tools and fixtures. The facility also provides the capability to perform 3D scanning for reverse engineering and to support part geometry validation (metrology scanning) using an accurate hand- held ISO certified scanner.
Blackpool-based Airframe Designs Limited (AFD) has accelerated its entry into additive manufacturing by completing the refurbishment and furnishing of their new #AFD3D production facility. #AFD3D is a new branch of Airframe Designs, established to focus on the supply of cross-sector 3D engineering and manufacturing services, encompassing 3D modelling, 3D scanning and 3D printing. The new facility is adjacent and allied with their engineering design centre located at the heart of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. The facility provides all of the necessary functions to support digital 3D additive manufacturing services and is under-pinning a progression towards becoming a UK CAA Part21G production organisation to enable the production of airworthy parts in the future.
“The new facility is really showcasing our ability to make things happen quickly, demonstrating our agility to execute plans and deliver on-time. “Recent visits to our facility by BAE Systems and Multi-Ply have enabled AFD to highlight our turn-key capability for design, analysis and manufacture and appear to have attracted a level of attention that I believe the business deserves.” Contact Airframe Designs via email at: reachout@airframedesigns.com or call: +44 (0)1253 400320
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plane talk autumn 2022
www.aerospace.co.uk
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