Original Date: 08/10/1998
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

After a late delivery of government furnished equipment (GFE) jeopardized the production schedule for the CVN-72 and CVN-73 aircraft carriers, Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), Lakehurst examined its producibility engineering process. NAWC, Lakehurst identified drawing problems with the GFE documentation as the primary reason for delays. A complete drawing review was performed which pointed to the need for manufacturing input during the product design phase. In response, NAWC, Lakehurst developed a process and an organization that would handle producibility engineering services using a concurrent engineering approach.

Modeled after MIL-HDBK-727, the Producibility Engineering process uses a checklist approach to review producibility issues. The process looks at general aspects of design; specifications and standards used; drawings; inspection and test; materials; manufacturing processes; joining methods; coating materials and methods; and heat treating. The Producibility Engineering organization participates early on in the design phase to provide producibility criteria and conduct a producibility analysis. In addition, the organization develops manufacturing strategies; prepares cost estimates; performs risk analysis; evaluates availability of critical materials/processes; reviews component leadtimes and available substitutes; determines the need for limited production; and conducts production readiness reviews.

Issues maximized by the Producibility Engineering organization include the simplicity of the design; number of potential suppliers; process repeatability and predictability; ease and speed of assembly; and the use of standard parts, proven technology, economical materials, and CAD/CAM capabilities. Issues minimized by the organization include procurement leadtimes; special production tooling and test systems; skill levels required to manufacture the product; design changes during production; removal of excess material; specification of unrealistic tolerances; and the use of critical materials and processes, unit costs, limited capability items and processes, and proprietary items. NAWC, Lakehurst’s mainstreamed process now looks at producibility early on in the design phase to prevent problems later in the production cycle.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.