Alcoa Fastening Systems
(AFS) announced today the successful deployment of its unique Trolley-Tray
fastener kitting system at the new Airbus A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) in
Tianjin, China. The Tianjin approach follows a similar deployment of this system
at the A320 FAL in Hamburg, Germany.
AFS now provides the Chinese FAL with all their required fasteners for use
in the fuselage and wing joint area in a convenient point-of-use tray system.
In addition to supplying the specifically defined fasteners for each assembly
in a color-coded visual system that is designed to enhance and mistake-proof
each technician’s fastener selection, the kits also include additional
fastener grip lengths to address normal assembly issues.
As a result, technician time wasted walking and searching for the correct fasteners
are dramatically reduced; assembly speed and accuracy is significantly improved;
Airbus only pays for the fasteners they use; and overall inventory costs are
slashed.
Alcoa Fastening Systems, a business unit of Alcoa (NYSE:AA), is a leading worldwide
designer and manufacturer of fastening systems including specialty fasteners,
fluid fittings, assembly components, and installation systems for aerospace
and commercial applications. Headquartered in Torrance, California, the company
has 6,900 employees, and manufactures at 21 locations in 9 countries. AFS also
operates 7 worldwide distribution/logistics centers providing value-added services.