Success Stories: Summit Machine
Summit Machine specializes in the rough and finish machining of complex components for the aerospace, commercial, defense, power generation, space, and petroleum industries. As customers Boeing and Airbus began ramping up monthly production of 737s and A320s, it became imperative that Summit engineers identified more efficient machining strategies to meet expanding delivery requirements.
The Parts
The CFM56-7 engine is the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 and is also used in the Airbus family of A320 aircraft; its Stage 3 and Stage 4 labyrinth seals are machined from nickel-based (Waspaloy) contour forgings using three operations. Summit machines 1,200 of each part annually.
The Approach
- TWS engineers train Summit staff on Production Module NC program optimization capabilities
- Summit engineers use Production Module to minimize machining times and balance tool loads
The Results
- Overall machining cycle time reduced by approximately 30%
- Operator intervention eliminated
- Tool life extended
- Software purchased; currently being used to optimize similar machining configurations for other programs