Comments on: Designed in America http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/07/10/designed-in-america/ The unbearable lightness of Lex. Enjoy! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:39:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: bdgerjmn http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/07/10/designed-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-383421 bdgerjmn Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:12:47 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/?p=10477#comment-383421 Actually the LRET(Low Rate Expansive Tooling) manufacturing process is more efficient and costs less than the standard assembly line in terms of people and equipment required to operate it. I did an engineering research project on this process in college when the first Superhornets rolled off the 'line' in the 90s. The idea is that you build the aircraft on a jig and move it around. The process of adding parts and pieces is relatively the same you just don't require countless square footage and eqiipment to make it happen. Of note, the 340ish Superhornets that have been delivered to the Navy have all been on or ahead of schedule. Also of note, the manufacturing process for airplanes today(composite) is much different by definition than 2nd and 3rd gen. aircraft. Actually the LRET(Low Rate Expansive Tooling) manufacturing process is more efficient and costs less than the standard assembly line in terms of people and equipment required to operate it. I did an engineering research project on this process in college when the first Superhornets rolled off the ‘line’ in the 90s. The idea is that you build the aircraft on a jig and move it around. The process of adding parts and pieces is relatively the same you just don’t require countless square footage and eqiipment to make it happen. Of note, the 340ish Superhornets that have been delivered to the Navy have all been on or ahead of schedule. Also of note, the manufacturing process for airplanes today(composite) is much different by definition than 2nd and 3rd gen. aircraft.

]]> By: GeoSTI http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/07/10/designed-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-383228 GeoSTI Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:47:51 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/?p=10477#comment-383228 Max, the rates of production for pretty much everything in the Aerospace business make us a piece-part/machine shop, with costs to match. Now, if they ordered them in bulk... Max, the rates of production for pretty much everything in the Aerospace business make us a piece-part/machine shop, with costs to match.

Now, if they ordered them in bulk…

]]> By: SpazSinbad http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/07/10/designed-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-383204 SpazSinbad Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:40:04 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/?p=10477#comment-383204 154 days (not including last day) Start: 05 Feb 09 "Northrop Grumman has begun production of major structural components for the first F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). On Feb. 5, GKN Aerospace-Monitor, a premier supplier to Northrop Grumman, began machining the first wing bulkhead, one of three titanium bulkheads that hold the F/A-18 wings in place." http://tiny.cc/UEGYe 154 days (not including last day) Start: 05 Feb 09 “Northrop Grumman has begun production of major structural components for the first F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). On Feb. 5, GKN Aerospace-Monitor, a premier supplier to Northrop Grumman, began machining the first wing bulkhead, one of three titanium bulkheads that hold the F/A-18 wings in place.” http://tiny.cc/UEGYe

]]> By: SpazSinbad http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/07/10/designed-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-383200 SpazSinbad Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:20:07 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/?p=10477#comment-383200 Todd, OOPS I guess you were not referring to the 'cricket videos' times (immediately above). Scusi - I'll attempt to find out length of Super Hornet assembly video. There was a press release for the beginning of the process - so that would be a good guide. Todd, OOPS I guess you were not referring to the ‘cricket videos’ times (immediately above). Scusi – I’ll attempt to find out length of Super Hornet assembly video. There was a press release for the beginning of the process – so that would be a good guide.

]]> By: Steeljaw Scribe http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/07/10/designed-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-383194 Steeljaw Scribe Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:12:16 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/?p=10477#comment-383194 That might explain a lot of my mis-spent adolescence ;) - SJS That might explain a lot of my mis-spent adolescence ;)
- SJS

]]> By: SpazSinbad http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/07/10/designed-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-383190 SpazSinbad Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:32:49 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/?p=10477#comment-383190 OR... the glue made me 'sharp as a tack'. Take yer pick. :-) OR… the glue made me ‘sharp as a tack’. Take yer pick. :-)

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