Automated manufacturing for artillery shells from Mills CNC
1 min read
The commissioning of a fully automated manufacturing facility by Mills CNC, for the machining of 105 mm and 155 mm artillery shells, has made an early impact on the aims of the MASS contractual partnership between BAE Systems and the UK MoD.
MASS (Munitions Acquisition – the Supply Solution) aims to deliver increased supplies of ammunition to front line troops by modernising and ensuring sustainability of the UK munitions industry.
Although due to be relocated in September to a brand new £28 million facility in Washington Co Durham, the recently installed manufacturing facility is currently operating at BAE Systems' Birtley plant.
The order was awarded by BAE to Mills CNC, who took responsibility as the prime contractor for the complete project.
The overall system comprises of four progressive separate robot loaded manufacturing cells capable of independent operation. Operating alongside an existing manually operated facility, the new manufacturing cell removes operators from potentially hazardous areas, occupies a quarter of the space, requires four less operators per shift, has increased product quality and has increased available capacity.
Cells one to three each have two Doosan Puma 400C CNC lathes, while Cell four contains a single Puma 400C CNC lathe. Each cell includes a FANUC Robotics R2000iB/175 robot which loads the machines and a variety of peripheral equipment required to complete the process.
Cells three and four both have marking systems developed by Pryor into which the cell robot positions and holds the shell as information, defined by the process, is applied to the outside of the shell. In addition, Cell three involves a shell weighing operation which feeds back information to the Puma 400C control system and results in the correct amount of material being machined to maintain a consistent mass of each shell.
