Bombardier Aerospace Utilizes Tombstones

 

Bombardier was running 240 different parts through a cell comprised of four horizontal, 4-axis machines with a 28-pallet system and one vertical, 5-axis machine with an 8-pallet system.

 

AME’s team of experts demonstrated the advantages of sub-plates with hardened precision bushings and hardened threaded inserts on a two-inch grid system. Because Drew needed to change parts quickly from one set-up to the next, it was shown that grid tombstones and plates along with modular components, would allow him to locate and align very accurately and quickly on a 2” precision grid system.

 

Drew purchased several full-grid tombstones to be used with their palletized system along with sub-plates, components and precision dowel screws, which can be used for locating fixture plates onto tombstones or their pallets for quick changeover.

 

Bombardier’s pallets were shipped to AME where they incorporated bushings and threaded inserts along with locating and mounting holes. A two-inch grid system was integrated into their pallets and all was inspected with AME’s CMM machine, one of the largest in the industry. Calibration blocks were added to check the probe for repeatability of the machines. These show when and where adjustments are needed to hold 0.0002” accuracy. A rotary axis check is also done on the fourth-axis rotary table to ensure accuracy.

 

Today, 800 different parts are being run through two cells. Monolithic parts are run on one set-up. Now, Bombardier enjoys 91% savings on set-up time and a total saving of 81% on cycle time over the old dedicated system.

 

“The new system played a major role in allowing us to achieve our Six Sigma goals for this segment of our fabrication process,” Hanus says. “We now have improved set-up time, we are producing better quality parts and saving money in the long run.”

 

A future project will involve adding modular components to the system.