Title: Process control for aerospace chemical milling process

Authors: Chau-Chen Torng, Chikong Huang, Hsien-Ming Chang

Addresses: Institute of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Section 3, University Road, Touliu, Yunlin, Taiwan 640, ROC. ' Institute of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Section 3, University Road, Touliu, Yunlin, Taiwan 640, ROC. ' Institute of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Section 3, University Road, Touliu, Yunlin, Taiwan 640, ROC

Abstract: Aerospace industry is a value-added and technology integrated industry. Chemical milling process uses chemical solution to etch and remove the redundant material of detail parts to achieve the purpose of lightweight. The chemical milling usually proceeds after forming and prior to surface treatment. Due to the etching rate of chemical solution decays gradually after processing the detail parts for a period of time, so new solution needs to replenish periodically to compensate the solution decay of etching rate. This study analyses the characteristics of chemical milling process and constructs a suitable control chart to monitor the etching rate. By observing the trend of control chart, the replenish period of new solution can be determined.

Keywords: aerospace industry; chemical milling; etching rate; control charts; process control; statistical process control; SPC.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2009.026390

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.18 No.3, pp.308 - 318

Published online: 09 Jun 2009 *

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