Abstract :
The Airbus factory in Filton, near Bristol, has invested in three Makino MAG3.H five-axis, horizontal-spindle machining centers (HMC) that form the basis of the plant´s flexible manufacturing system (FMS). The HMCs are linked by a rail-guided vehicle and served by a nine-pallet handling and storage system. A twin-pallet Makino MCD2016 five-axis HMC has also been installed. The new systems produce smaller ribs for the single-aisle A320 family, the FMS being employed for machining 10 types of interspar wing rib from solid aluminum billets and extrusions, while the other MCD2016 is devoted to machining the main gear rib from an aluminum forging
Keywords :
aerospace industry; aluminium; billets; extrusion; flexible manufacturing systems; forging; machine tool spindles; machining; palletising; production facilities; rails; storage; Airbus factory; Makino MAG3.H; aluminum forging; extrusions; flexible manufacturing system; horizontal-spindle machining centers; interspar wing rib; nine-pallet materials handling; rail-guided vehicle; solid aluminum billets; storage system; twin-pallet Makino MCD2016 five-axis HMC;
