| Featured
Project Review
Lean Six Sigma Analysis to Improve Space Shuttle Orbiter Tile
Removal and Replacement Process
Click
here to read the full project review. 
Client:
United Space Alliance
Situation:
United Space Alliance (USA) is the prime contractor to NASA for space
flight operations, responsible for all space shuttle fleet and all international
space shuttle processing operations.
One of the key components of the outer surface of the shuttle orbiter
is the tile. An orbiter tile is a quartz fiber block with silica coating.
The tiles provide thermal protection for the orbiter’s skin during
ascent and re-entry.
Tiles need to be removed and replaced for a variety of reasons including:
• Damage during launch and landing
• Modifications to the vehicle
• Access to other systems
The process to remove and replace tiles was identified as one which needed
to be improved due to the following:
• High scrap rate
• Long cycle time
• Limited resources
• Increased volume expected to support Orbiter Major Modifications
(OMM)
Objectives:
Utilize Lean Six Sigma methods to analyze and improve the tile removal
and replacement process.
Solution:
USA’s Processing and Manufacturing Group developed a solution which
utilized a combination of Lean Six Sigma methods and simulation technology
to help Visualize, Analyze, and Optimize the Tile Removal & Replacement
process. ProModel’s ProcessSimulator, a plug-in to Microsoft’s
Visio, was utilized because of its capability to simulate process maps
and complement the Lean Six Sigma methodology.
To
view the results and to see addtional data and graphs please download
the entire project review in Adobe Acrobat PDF.
|
