Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An interactive electronic technical manual for an advanced aerospace assembly machine

  • Original Article
  • Published:
The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a pilot information system to ease the burden of document configuration management for an aerospace manufacturer. The documents that comprised the content of the system are used to control manual activities associated with a large automated machine tool, such as machine setup, test piece checking and maintenance. The information content was in the form of web pages and PDF documents, both of which were presented to users via an Internet kiosk, in order to maximise usability and system security. The system was designed using a formal task analysis and evaluated using a method based on task-technology-fit theory and the technology acceptance model. It was shown that users would accept such a system and use it in preference to other sources of similar information. The greatest financial benefit of such systems is likely to be due to a reduced mean time to repair the machine.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hogan BJ (2005) Automation speeds A380 wing assembly. Manuf Eng 134(3):121–131

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  2. Ventura CA (1988) Why switch from paper to electronic manuals?. In: Proc ACM conference on document processing systems, Santa Fe, NM, 5–9 December 1988

  3. Litman EF (1996) CALS–a strategy for business engineering. Logist Inf Manage 9(1):18–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Setchi R, White D (2003) The development of a hypermedia maintenance manual for an advanced manufacturing company. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 22:456–464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Greenough RM, Fakun D, Kay JM (2001) Development of a digital manual for a manufacturing system-a case study. Integr Manuf Syst 12(6):387–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Seattle Post-Intelligencer (2004) Boeing, American Airlines settle fines. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com. Date Cited 7 July 2005

  7. iBASEt (2005) http://www.ibaset.com/solumina/casestudies/boeingc17.html. Date Cited: 2 Feb 2005

  8. Burgess TF, McKee D, Kidd C (2005) Configuration management in the aerospace industry; a review of industry practice. Int J Oper Prod Manage 25(3):290–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Kirwan B, Ainsworth LK (1992) A guide to task analysis. Taylor & Francis, London

    Google Scholar 

  10. Bawden D (1990) User-oriented evaluation of information systems and services. Gower, AldershotHants, UK

    Google Scholar 

  11. Goodhue DL, Thompson RL (1995) Task-technology fit and individual performance. MIS Q 19(2):213–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Davis FD (1989) Perceived usefulness, ease of use and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Q 13(3):319–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Rubin J (1994) Handbook of usability testing: How to plan, design, and conduct effective tests. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  14. Crowder R, Hall W, Heath I, Wills G (1999) Integration of manufacturing information using open hypermedia. Comput Industry 38:31–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the support of Airbus UK, particularly the manufacturing engineers and operators at the Broughton plant for their help in this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Industrial and Manufacturing Science, Cranfield University, Bedford, MK430AL, UK

    Richard M. Greenough

  2. School of Industrial and Manufacturing Science, Cranfield University, Bedford, MK430AL, UK

    Benny Tjahjono

Authors
  1. Richard M. Greenough
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benny Tjahjono
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard M. Greenough.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Greenough, R.M., Tjahjono, B. An interactive electronic technical manual for an advanced aerospace assembly machine. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 33, 1045–1055 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-006-0536-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-006-0536-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation