Font Size: 

Abstract:

 

An asymmetric simple exclusion process (ASEP) cellular automaton (CA) model was applied for production lines of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) airframes. Thermoset CFRPs have limited shelf life to limit buffer time for each production step to approach a lean production of time discrete ASEP CA model. ASEP CA model is known to reduce throughput drastically if 1) excessive inventories surpasses stagnation point, and 2) steps are not harmonized, therefore, even by far improvement rate at a step can negate the whole inventories throughout the production line. Using the model, we have conducted a case study for Boeing 787 which showed an unstable delivery rate in the early production stage and is expected the rate reduction in the near future recession