Airbus and Onet together
towards 0 defects
In the aeronautics industry, safety is a top priority. In this context, Airbus has set up a specific process to combat FOD (Foreign Object Damage), which aims to secure the delivery of 100% compliant areas unpolluted by residual foreign bodies from manufacturing processes.
Onet has committed itself to this approach with Airbus by appointing a dedicated referent on the subject. Myriam Colombini, Onet referent at Airbus, and Sébastien Carriere, SME FOD on the FAL 320 at Airbus, confirm this constant vigilance.
- - Onet
Safety, a key issue on assembly lines
The FOD process involves strict control at every stage. It is at the heart of two major challenges for Airbus: the safety of its aircraft, and therefore of its passengers, and the satisfaction of its customers, whose results and quality of service are thus improved.
In this context, Onet works on the assembly lines (FAL - final assembly line) for the A320, A330 and Beluga, as well as on the runways (flight line).
Onet's mission begins as soon as the parts arrive in Toulouse, and continues throughout the assembly line, right up to the final stage when the aircraft is ready to fly.
This subject, which represents a major challenge for Airbus, is monitored by the entire Airbus management line, from operators to Group management.
Monitoring and debriefing meetingsto promote continuous improvement
Each stage and each area treated is subject to quality control by both Onet and Airbus, who check that no FOD is present in the work areas.
A representative of the future operating company is present at every major stage, for example when the front and rear sections are assembled, to check conformity.
For debriefing purposes and as part of a continuous improvement process, working meetings ("FOD") are organized regularly between dedicated Onet and Airbus representatives.
These meetings enable us to identify the causes of FOD occurrences (nature and location) and to develop processes to prevent recurrences.
Tailor-made solutions built up over time, to suit individual needs
To achieve zero FOD, Onet is deploying specific resources for Airbus.
In 2003, Airbus entrusted Onet with tertiary and industrial cleaning missions.
New missions were soon added to these mixed services, justifying the creation of an agency dedicated to Airbus.
In 2016, a specific agency was created to adapt to this particular market. Methods and process engineers were recruited. Over the years, the Onet agency dedicated to Airbus has developed and organized to meet the new needs that have arisen.
In July 2022, Myriam Colombini, an Onet employee who had been working on the project for several years, took on the specific role of dedicated FOD relay.
Present on the assembly lines every day, she also takes part in all FOD meetings, during which all subjects are dealt with at the level of each workstation and at the various hierarchical levels.
Follow-up analysis to achieve excellence
The assembly lines are home to numerous subcontractors and partners. This multiplicity of players means that frequent checks are essential.
These controls are reported in a shared document supplied by Onet and Airbus.
This document collects information on the causes of FOD.
Just as in the fight against accidents, the hunt for FOD requires a major effort to identify the causes, so that processes can be improved and barrier measures put in place to prevent them.
Raising team awareness to strengthen and perpetuate the safety culture
Onet and Airbus teams are given a major and essential educational task to explain the anomalies observed and understand the origin and responsibilities of the FODs.
A cause tree, built up over time, enables us to identify root causes and communicate areas for improvement to our teams.
This organization and monitoring have already led to a significant reduction in the number of FODs detected at the various stations.