Mitchell Smith, composites and sustainability technology leader at Middle River Aerostructure Systems (an ST Engineering company) has been tasked with improving sustainability for a 1.4 million-square-foot facility that is 100% composites/bonding with 90+ years of aerostructures production. He will discuss lessons learned and a practical, “implement as you can” strategy for combining automation, digital tools and AI to achieve sustainability goals. MRAS achievements so far:
- 80% reduction in CFRP material waste
- 96% first-time-right yield for composite Nacelle structures manufactured in excess of rate 60
- Reduced cycle times (e.g., 4 hours to 12 minutes) across kitting, layup, preforming, etc.
One part of the MRAS strategy is Plataine digital tools. Avner Ben-Bassat, president and CEO of Plataine, will discuss these tools and how they can be used to digitally track and optimize production planning, materials, mold tools, machines and other resources to meet increased production rates and cost pressures while enabling production flexibility. Mr. Ben-Bassat will walk through implementation, such as more effective management of time-sensitive materials throughout production from the receiving dock to their inclusion and tracking in databases and digital twins.
