Assuring ready supply of tooling at hand

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Nov 24, 2005

High-grade tool cabinets give assembly and fitting workers total flexibility and convenience, providing tools to hand and can be varied as desired within the multiple drawer configurations.

As one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers gaining around half of all orders for airliners with 100 plus passenger capacity - Airbus has received orders for over 5000 aircraft, delivered to over 200 customers, employs 53000 people and enjoys a turnover of EUR 20 billion (2004).

It has gained that proud position in a comparitively short time.

and key to this success is the company's technology and innovation in engineering and manufacturing.

The Airbus UK site at Broughton, north Wales (near Chester) plays a crucial part on the global stage by being responsible for the manufacture of the wings for the comprehensive range of passenger, freight and corporate aircraft.

One notable supplier to the plant is Lista UK, specialist manufacturer of high - grade tool cabinets.

The tool cabinets supplied to Airbus UK have many notable features.

Two types of cabinet are involved - totalling over 60 in number - both types are mobile, from the B403 and B431 series, and give the workers total flexibility and convenience.

This means that tools are always to hand and can be varied as desired within the multiple drawer configurations.

In turn, all of the cabinets are fitted with an innovative swipe card access system.

The Airbus workers must always carry this card and the cabinets are programmed via a PDA to recognise any number of approved personnel.

Once swiped in and accepted, the engineer can open the cabinet and when the task is completed, shutting the drawer automatically locks the cabinet.

Lista developed this system with Cromwell Tools to exactly match the needs of Airbus, who intrinsically gain tool accountability and safe preservation of valuable equipment.

In construction terms, the cabinets are precision - built from high quality streamlined steel and are designed to be versatile and take the heaviest loads, whilst offering safe and easy handling at all times.