Skin packer aids traceability and tamper evidence

Citation

(2000), "Skin packer aids traceability and tamper evidence", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772ead.009

Skin packer aids traceability and tamper evidence

Skin packer aids traceability and tamper evidence

Keywords Illig, R D Precision, Components, Packaging, Security

An Illig SB-l00c skin packing machine is said to be helping R D Precision of Queensferry, North Wales, UK, to provide vital tamper evidence and traceablility of supply for small to medium-sized, precision engineered components to the aerospace industry.

The machine, which is installed in the despatch department at the company, is being used to package both individual components and kits of parts, for a variety of military and civil aircraft applications.

R D Precision is an established manufacturer and supplier of components and assemblies to the aerospace industry, with approvals from the majority of major manufacturers including British Aerospace, Raytheon UK/USA, GKN Westland, MoD and Rolls-Royce.

In addition to supplying direct to aerospace manufacturers to meet production line requirements, R D Precision is also one of only a small number of precision engineering companies in the UK to hold the Joint Aviation Authorities JAR-21 Subpart G approval.

This means that they can also supply direct to airline maintenance departments for in-service aircraft at all airports.

Although manufacturing and supply processes may vary for the two different environments, a number of factors are common to both. The most important being traceability and tamper evidence, particularly with regard to kits of parts.

It is predominantly for these reasons, combined with a requirement to provide professional product presentation and protection against the ingress of contaminants during transit and storage, that the company has invested in the Illig SB-100c skin packer.

"Wherever possible we follow a strategy of grouping products together as a kit, under a single part number", explains Ged Edwards, works manager at R D Precision. "As we supply most of our customers on a JIT basis, this approach eases both the ordering and the handling process."

Components to be skin packed are positioned manually on pre-cut backing card, which is strongly branded with the R D Precision logo and contact details.

The SB-100c can accommodate backing card of up to 495mm 955mm in size, providing the flexibility required by R D Precision to package components of varying size and quantity, to meet customer requirements.

To ensure compliance with customer approvals, the operator also places individual part numbers for product identification, next to the relevant components on the backing card, prior to packing.

The card is then fed into the machine from the loading station and the pack sequence initiated via a Siemens PLC control unit, which incorporates a user friendly membrane keypad and multi-line display.

The control is said to be capable of storing up to ten data sets at a time and provides automatic sequencing through the skin pack process. Furthermore, a cycle counter and self-diagnostic functions help to ensure accurate and reliable setting and machine operation.

"The fact that all the components in a kit are fixed securely to a rigid card, complete with part numbers, makes it extremely easy for the end user to identify if the kit has been tampered with when it arrives at the production line", comments Ged Edwards. "The only way to remove the product is to physically tear the packaging and, as the skin material is drawn tightly to the component shape, it is extremely obvious if the package has been interfered with."

"This also benefits traceability and, as the skin material is non-porous, helps protect the components against the ingress of moisture which, in turn, can lead to corrosion."

According to Illig, its SB-100c skin packer is approaching the end of its first year of use at R D Precision and the company is confident that the benefits offered by the technology are providing quantifiable "added value" to its existing customers, as well as helping to secure new contracts.

Details available from Illig UK Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1767 510555; Fax: +44 (0) 1767 515555.