1. High Throughput Production Processing of 5-Axis Parts
Recipient of the Defense Manufacturing Excellence Award
High Throughput Production Processing of 5-Axis Parts
Problem:
Airframe structural parts of aluminum or titanium are frequently designed with draft angles or other geometric features that do not lend themselves to production on 3-axis machine tools.
5-axis machine tools will make them efficiently but are difficult to program.
Depots increasing find themselves required to make these parts for aging aircraft.
Knowledge based NC programming systems would provide major productivity benefit.
Technology Application:
Technology Answers’ Cimskil is core technology
Add automated five machined feature recognition
Enhance automated process planning to handle 5-axis features
Define standard set of cutting tools and determine optimum cutting parameters (feeds, speeds, depth of cut)
Embed optimized process parameter calculations into Cimskil
DoD Partners:
US Air Force: Warner Robins Air Logistics Center
US Navy: Fleet Readiness Center East
Industry Partners:
Cincinnati Machine
Technology Answers
Sikorsky Aircraft
Boeing
Vought Aircraft
Readiness Benefits:
Cycle Time:
Achieved NC programming productivity increase of up to 80%
Achieved machining time decreases up to 50%
Reliability:
Automation reduces opportunity for human error, produces more reliably accurate parts
Availability:
Greater throughput results in increased parts availability
Cost:
Increased manufacturing planning productivity reduces non productive time and its cost