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PLM and collaboration software
News Release from: Delmia | Subject: V5 DPM Assembly and V5 Human
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 01 July 2005
Software paves the way for JSF
production line
Lockheed Martin is simulating the feasibility of a moving assembly line at the mile-long Fort Worth, Texas, facility slated for production of its new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
Delmia's V5 DPM Assembly and V5 Human digital manufacturing software is being used by Lockheed Martin to simulate the feasibility of a moving assembly line at the mile-long Fort Worth, Texas, facility slated for production of its new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft The aircraft assembly process, tooling and line workers involved in the production process have all been simulated and tested prior to production
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 8 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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"The tools are much different with a moving assembly line", says Kevin Albers, Manufacturing Engineer, Lockheed Martin Company Fort Worth.
"Through its studies of a moving line, Lockheed Martin discovered that the tools would have to travel with the airplane, as would the utilities, such as electric and pneumatic power".
"Simulation helps identify potential pitfalls early in the process and before the start of actual production, thus saving valuable time and reducing costs".
Lockheed Martin is also using Delmia tools to study the workforce logistics and the interaction of processes and resources.
This will help ensure that the proper item is delivered to the right station at the right time and that workers will have everything they need at hand (parts, tools, manpower, utilities) in order to perform their assembly tasks.
Simulation also helps Lockheed Martin determine the number of people needed for assembly processes in order to meet target times.
"For example", says Albers, "the landing gear is very large, and there is a tool to support its weight and help line up the pins".
"By running 'what if' scenarios with different numbers of line workers, we can determine how many people are needed to complete this task in optimal time".
Currently, there are four designated stations in the line.
But, when the plant reaches its full production rate of one plane a day, there could be as many as 14 assembly stations along the line, each staffed with about a dozen workers performing thousands of operations.
Lockheed Martin believes that the moving line approach could increase production efficiency and optimise floor space, yielding savings of up to of $300 million over the life of the programme.
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