There has been an increasing need for changes in the design and integration strategies used by CNC companies to provide machines required for Aerospace customers. Improvements in the Aerospace machine shops have been made to keep up with customer demands for services and competitive pricing. This includes increasing the capacity of complex components to perform customized batch work which is more time and cost efficient for all parties concerned. This has increased the number of shops which are enjoying these benefits and their ability to contract out for more jobs and orders.
New Innovations
Recent changes to machining include a departure from three axis to four, and more recently five axis, machining processes. Alternatively, the addition of three Haas brand rotary tables for current VF machines allows for expansion as opposed to purchasing new five axis machines.
Advantages of Four and Five Axis Machines
These larger capacity machines reduce the amount of time and effort which is needed in the handling over three axis machines. Less work is required for the operator and more complex parts or components are now feasible, especially when mass production is a consideration. When using a four or five axis machine it allows for faster production of parts with less overhead expense.
Disadvantages
Any adjustments which are made to the machining equipment requires re-programming to ensure that precision work is accomplished, but once the re-programming is completed the production of Aerospace parts can be done with greater speed and efficiency. This is compensated for by the fact that more tasks are completed before the parts need to be manually handled for other detailing considerations. The disadvantages are minimal when compared to the possible cost, labor and material savings.
Challenges Successfully Addressed
Previous models required customer input of data in the creation of 3D models. 3D camera equipment using four and five axis models has replaced the old 2D cam software with the Esprit CAM package, which has made the changeover to 3D CAM. Program calculation time is reduced and what once took hours, now only takes a matter of minutes.
On-going Training
Professionals receive ongoing training for use of the new equipment, software and methods of operation. This in itself promotes an environment which will continue to lay the foundations for better efficiency, which will in turn lower cost and the time it takes to produce orders for customers.
Changes in the design and operation of Aerospace machine shop equipment are beneficial for end users as well as the companies which make use of the services. Improvements in the quality of the equipment, associated costs and order fulfillment times have all been achieved and will continue to be improved upon. For more information about aerospace machine shops you can speak with the experts available at RAMP Engineering.
