This empirical paper discusses the application of the Flow Accounting methodology for the design and implementation of a pull-system in an aerospace supply chain that is based upon the Drum-Buffer-Rope approach derived from the Theory of Constraints. This applied research project was derived from the PreMade programme of work and was designated 'Workpacket 3' (WP3). The focal case involves a fabrication facility responsible for producing aircraft fuselage and nacelle panels and which is characterised by many shared and natural batch resources. The resultant pull-system design is explained, as are the initial results from the implementation of this design. This empirical paper builds upon two papers that were submitted to ISL in 2008 (Darlington et al., 2008a; 2008b) that discussed the new Flow Accounting (FA) methodology advanced by the authors as the most effective approach to the Lean Accounting issue. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate upon the theoretical FA framework and initial empirical findings that were advanced in these previous papers by providing a longitudinal analysis of the case study supply chain at Bombardier Aerospace Belfast (BAB) that was designated the 'Workpacket 3' (WP3) study. This was conducted under the aegis of a project entitled Precision Concept Design Model of Manufacturing for Competitive Advantage (PreMade). PreMade is a three year applied research project that started in 2006 and ended in April 2009. Its Pfund 2.5m of funding is provided by the UK Department of Trade and Industry, now called the Department of Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR). PreMade involves a consortium of ten industrial and two academic partners; the latter being the Lean Enterprise Research Centre (LERC) from Cardiff University and the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queens University Belfast (QUB). The project aim is to develop a digital manufacturing tool and wider supporting application methodology that is based upon the DELMIA software suite. This tool is to facilitate digital manufacturing assembly line layout and configuration for new products prior to their production. It is to embody Lean manufacturing and supply chain process design principles; hence becoming a Digital Lean Manufacturing (DLM) tool. The concept is to develop a digital manufacturing environment that will enable competing assembly line configurations to be evaluated and optimised in terms of lead time and cost prior to undertaking any conventional physical layout activities, and hence ultimately increasing competitive advantage via time (responsiveness) and cost reduction for the firms concerned.


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    Title :

    Implementing lean-flow in an aerospace supply chain


    Additional title:

    Implementierung eines schlanken Flusses in einer Raumfahrt-Versorgungskette


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2009


    Size :

    8 Seiten, 2 Bilder, 14 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Storage medium


    Language :

    English





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