Product category:
Data acquisition software and systems
News Release from: Delmia | Subject: V5 DPM Assembly and V5 Human digital manufacturing
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 June 2005
Simulation optimises manual aircraft
assembly
Digital simulation software allows aircraft manufacturer to optimise manufacturing processes and analyse workforce operations of a moving aircraft assembly line.
Delmia Corp, a Dassault Systemes company has announced that its 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 Manufacturingtalk on 11 May 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.
* About Lockheed Martin - Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co, a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies.
Its customers include the Department of Defense and allied countries throughout the world.
Additional information about Lockheed Martin is available at www.lockheedmartin.com * About Delmia Corp - Delmia Corporation is the leading provider of lean digital manufacturing solutions, focused mainly on software that can be used to streamline manufacturing processes.
Delmia serves industries where the optimisation of manufacturing processes is critical, including automotive, aerospace, fabrication and assembly, electrical and electronics, consumer goods, plant, and shipbuilding sectors.
* About Dassault Systemes - as world leader in 3D and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions, the Dassault Systemes group brings value to more than 80,000 customers in 80 countries.
A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systemes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire life cycle of products from conception to maintenance.
Its offering includes integrated PLM solutions for product development (CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SMARTEAM), mainstream 3D design tools (SolidWorks), and 3D components (Spatial/ACIS).
Dassault Systemes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges.
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