C&D Aerospace Flying High with Lista International
Garden Grove, CA / Aircraft component manufacturer
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For over thirty years, C&D Aerospace has designed and manufactured quality aircraft interior components and systems – from seats and overhead bins to galleys and lavatories – for the world's leading aircraft manufacturers. C&D is always looking for ways to improve and streamline operations, and one area targeted for improvement was the metalworking division.
"In an effort to better use the machinery and add value to the overall operation, we consolidated all of the metalworking equipment, tooling and sheet metal needed for composites manufacturing," said Gary Reece, corporate director of product support. | |
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C&D Aerospace wanted to centralize its metalworking equipment and tools by building a tool crib that organized all non-recurring tools and equipment, allowed for better inventory control and provided a workspace for tool preparation. In addition, the tool crib had to be aesthetically pleasing for customer visits. | |
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A glass-enclosed tool crib was designed with a system of Lista cabinets, workbenches and tool transporters.
"We knew we wanted a high quality – as well as aesthetically pleasing – solution," explained Reece. "We spoke with a few manufacturers but none of them could come close to Lista in terms of quality, technical capability, and features. Lista was the only choice."
Pairs of Lista standard width cabinets were stacked and fastened together, creating a 10 foot high wall of storage running the length of the tool crib. Collapsible safety ladders were added for easy access. Designed to store both small and large items, the easily configurable Lista drawers allowed C&D to organize all its tools and equipment, from the largest, heaviest parts to the smallest nuts and bolts. Also in the crib are four Lista butcher block top workstations, ideal for pounding and grinding custom tools.
C&D is also relying on Lista beyond the tool crib. Manufacturing engineers use Lista tool transporters to move tools from crib to machine, where each machine has an accompanying Lista workbench. And workbenches with stainless steel tops are used for part inspections in the Quality Control Lab. | |
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C&D Aerospace is realizing great benefits from the tool crib, including reduced set-up times for machines and an increased use of equipment, both of which result in cost reductions. Prep time has been reduced from 20-30% of production time to about 8%. And with all non-recurring elements moved from the machines and properly organized in the crib, the company increased use of the equipment.
"We achieved what we wanted to and then some from the Lista system," Reece concluded. "Our operation is running more efficiently. Additionally, the Lista solution is aesthetically pleasing, which impresses our customers and boosts employee moral. That is icing on the cake." | | |
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