The Benefits of Aerospace Kitting

Compared to manufacturing individual parts and components, kitting reduces waste, increases efficiency, and decreases costs. It also improves inventory management and reduces time spent on assembly. For this reason, kitting solutions are gaining popularity among aerospace manufacturers and MROs. To learn more, read on. Here are the significant benefits of kitting for aerospace companies. 

Less waste

The aerospace industry must identify the areas of production that produce a large volume of waste to reduce the amount of waste generated during the production process of aircraft components. Changing production methods must not harm the quality of the final products or the aircraft hardware kits. Using several ways, such as precision machining, less waste from aerospace kitting is possible. Sustainable materials should be encouraged as these can be produced in large volumes, with no risk of depleting non-renewable resources.

For example, aerospace manufacturers must meet the ISO 14001 environmental management standard, which requires reducing the amount of waste they generate. Reducing waste from aerospace kitting operations is a significant step in achieving this goal. As waste is an inevitable byproduct of production, it is essential for aerospace manufacturing facilities to reduce their carbon footprint and emissions. However, reducing waste generated by production equipment is not an ideal solution. The production equipment is vital to the profitability of an aerospace plant.

Increased efficiency

Aviation kitting is assembling individual components for maintenance and repair on aircraft. It helps prevent a situation where parts cannot be found and are beneficial to the MRO team, boarding team, and passengers. For example, the aircraft may be grounded for a long time in a typical MRO situation. Kitting helps prevent this situation by reducing wait times for passengers. In addition, outsourcing the kitting process minimizes the space needed in warehouses.

Using kits helps manufacturers reduce costs and simplify ordering. Kitting simplifies the process by reducing material waste, optimizing picking, and streamlining assembly. For example, imagine that an OEM must produce cabin insulation for a specialty vehicle. Instead of ordering 15 individual parts and receiving them in 15 separate shipments, it can purchase one kit for this part and have it ready to go when the time comes. Imagine if the OEM could order 15 different kits instead of one and get a more efficient way to build a vehicle.

Reduced costs

Aircraft manufacturers are facing a new challenge regarding cost-effective aerospace kitting. The use of multi-function units that can reduce inventory by as much as 15 percent and ensure accurate fit and finish results is key to meeting deadlines. A recent contract between Airborne and GKN Fokker has emphasized the benefits of an automated kitting solution. The service is beneficial for manufacturing composite aircraft parts, such as fuselage barrels, wings, and empennage skin panels. Its efficiency will reduce waste, assembly-line stock, and materials handling while providing environmental benefits.

Compared to traditional assembly processes, kitting streamlines the production and ordering processes in the aerospace industry. It saves space and time, enables tight inventory control, and increases efficiency. Airborne’s automated kitting solution is highly customized to fit the unique needs of aerospace companies. By integrating a kitting solution into their manufacturing processes, Magellan will be able to meet their exacting specifications, improving shop floor productivity and reducing waste.

Improved quality

The increased demand for aerospace components has put aviation companies under tremendous pressure to produce and deliver products at a higher standard. In addition to meeting the needs of airlines and their customers, aircraft technicians also rely on component repair kits. However, traditional kitting techniques are prone to errors, resulting in extra parts and components missing or incorrect sizing. Robotic kitting solutions can address these issues, which can lead to product rejection, delays, quality fines, flight cancellations, and more.

Aerospace manufacturers can dramatically improve their kitting process with a new automated solution. This solution will automate many manual operations, including sorting and cutting through plies, ply cut-to-size, layup, and more. The new system is flexible enough to fit the needs of any company and can be tailored to the materials used in the production process. As a result, it will help improve productivity and reduce material waste.