• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.8-20
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• 2022

The paint removal of fighter jets is just as important as the painting, because perfect paint removal ensures the quality of the exterior painting on the aircraft. However, the current conditions for paint removal work of the ROKAF's are poor. It is identified that the painting process currently implemented by the ROKAF is not only exposed to harmful compounds such as harmful dust and hexavalent chromium, but also consumes a lot of water. Thus, the introduction of advanced facility is considered. This study compares the fighter jets painting removal process currently applied by the Korean Air Force with the improved laser coating removal process of the US Air Force, and conducts an incremental analysis to perform economic analysis for the introduction of advanced facility. Four scenarios were envisioned on the premise of an increase in the number of fighters in the future, incremental analysis shows that laser coating removal method is advantageous in all scenarios. In addition, it is recommended that paint removal cycle keeps the current 12-year and the outsourcing amount to civilian depot is reduced.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.39-49
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• 2021

The Korean Air-Force aircraft maintenance depot paints the exterior of various aircraft, including high-tech fighters. Aircraft exterior painting is a maintenance process for long-term life management by preventing damage to the aircraft surface due to corrosion. The de-painting process is essential to ensure the quality of aircraft exterior paints. However, because the Korean Air-Force's de-painting process is currently done with sanding or Plastic Media Blasting (PMB) method, it is exposed to harmful dust and harmful compounds and consumes a lot of manpower. This study compares the de-painting process currently applied by the ROK Air-Force and the more improved process of the US Air Force, and performs economic analysis for the introduction of advanced equipment. It aims to provide information that can determine the optimal time to introduce new facilities through Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that the sanding method had the most economical efficiency up to 2 units per year, the PMB method from 3 to 21 units, and the laser method from 22 units or more. In addition, in a situation where the amount of de-painting work is expected to increase significantly due to the increase in fighters in future, BEP analysis was conducted on the expansion of the existing PMB method and the introduction of a new laser method. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that it is more economical to introduce the laser method when the amount of work exceeds the PMB work capacity(18 units per year). The paper would helpful to improve the productivity and quality of the Korean Air Force Aircraft maintenance depot through timely changes of facilities in the workplace in preparation for expansion.