Citation
(1998), "British Aerospace places multi-million pound FMS order", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770cab.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
British Aerospace places multi-million pound FMS order
British Aerospace places multi-million pound FMS order
BAe Filton has placed a substantial order on Marwin Production Systems in Wolverhampton for the turnkey supply of a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) comprising three "Automax II" twin-pallet, horizontal machining centres, a pallet load station and ten buffer storage stations, all interlinked by rail-guided vehicle.
Delivery of the first machine will take place in July 1998 and the whole cell is due to start volume production of aircraft structural members by the beginning of 1999.
Line illustration of the new
Automax II high speed machining centre from Marwin Production Systems
Typical thin-wall aerospace
components machined from solid aluminium on Automax II
Designed and built by Marwin specifically for high precision machining of complex aircraft components, the five-axis machining centres will each be equipped with a 40kW\24,000rpm spindle. Linear machining feed rates on these models are fast at 20m/min, with acceleration/deceleration of 2.5m/s2.
The 2.1 × 1.2m pallets present billets vertically to the spindle, which together with high volumes of coolant ensures efficient removal of the aluminium swarf. A 120-position, chain-type tool magazine will be fitted to each machine, with the latest Fanuc 160i CNC system providing the control.
In a separate deal timed to coincide with the FMS order, Marwin will also supply a high-speed development machine to the process and applications laboratory at Filton. Based on Automax principles, the equipment will help British Aerospace to develop further the application of this technology to the manufacture of aircraft parts. Larger Automax III machining centres have been in use in other BAe factories for many years.
Details from Marwin Production Systems Ltd, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1902 366633; Fax: +44 (0)1902 366573.