Multi-tasking machines: a new approach to increase the productivity of aircraft components manufacture

Aircraft components are produced using precision manufacturing processes like turning, milling, drilling, jig boring, grinding, polishing, etc. in multiple setups. Increase in tolerance stackup, large in-process inventory, requirements of several jigs and fixtures and large cycle time are the problems encountered in the aircraft component manufacture. Multi-tasking machines offer a convenient solution for this problem by limiting all the operations to a single multitasking machine. This study has been carried out to quantify techno-economic benefits of multi-tasking machines. Some typical general system components like cover, housing, valves, etc. have been taken for investigation. Alternate machining strategy using multi-tasking machines have been proposed. An attempt has been made to compare between the multi-machines and multi-tasking machines in terms of time, cost, number of setups involved, etc. for the manufacture of aircraft components.