Supply Chain Simulation and Economical Evaluation of Forged Titanium Discs for Aircraft Engines

A top level investigation of the supply chain of forged titanium discs resulted in the fact that about 60% of the value-add and about 50% of the time used up in the supply-chain result from the titanium forgers. Engine manufacturers should focus on these companies when optimising their supply chain. The tool factory simulation with an attached economic evaluation tool is able to contribute to this supply chain optimization. It is presented and discussed on the basis of a titanium supply chain optimization from the view of an engine OEM. Two examples show the ability of this approach to predict the impact of future scenarios. Opportunities and weaknesses of this approach are discussed as well as ways and possibilities to bring a forging factory as well as the supply chain closer to optimal performance are evaluated and explained.Copyright © 2005 by ASME