Well, to sketch things out a bit further, a BAT line works something like this. All the lines draw from the Raw Materials Management Center. In all reality, this is a specialized factory line where raw materials, in whatever bulk-form is proper, are preprocessed into materials that are more usable in the factory lines. Included is also a recycling center where leavings from the manufacturing processes as well as worn parts are scrapped for raw material.
The next stage is manufacturing. Preprocessed materials are made into the individual parts through a combination of 3-D printers (usually for the electronics and carbon-nanotube frames), CNC machinery (precision-machined moving parts), and more standardized automated systems for forging, casting, molding, cutting, and welding (structural parts and armor).
Assembly consists of two stages: sub-assembly where parts are assembled into larger assemblies, which are then sent on to primary assembly where the assemblies begin to make a whole. For example, the Blackbird-class has nine major structural assemblies: forward fuselage, mid fuselage, aft fuselage, starboard and port nacelles, starboard and port wings, and starboard and port stabilizers.
Finally comes outfitting. Not all orders are the same - some requests are downright unusual - and the final part of the manufactory is designed with this in mind. Need a Blackbird kitted for recon? No problem. A Peacemaker to be used as a troop transport? Done. An Albatross built for bulk-liquid transporting? As soon as you cut the check.
Parts are as standardized as they can possibly be - some maintenance techs have been given flashbacks to when they played with Legos as a child. Modularity also features prominently, so a BAT ship can be re-purposed with ease, especially when the kit has been ordered from BAT.
The next stage is manufacturing. Preprocessed materials are made into the individual parts through a combination of 3-D printers (usually for the electronics and carbon-nanotube frames), CNC machinery (precision-machined moving parts), and more standardized automated systems for forging, casting, molding, cutting, and welding (structural parts and armor).
Assembly consists of two stages: sub-assembly where parts are assembled into larger assemblies, which are then sent on to primary assembly where the assemblies begin to make a whole. For example, the Blackbird-class has nine major structural assemblies: forward fuselage, mid fuselage, aft fuselage, starboard and port nacelles, starboard and port wings, and starboard and port stabilizers.
Finally comes outfitting. Not all orders are the same - some requests are downright unusual - and the final part of the manufactory is designed with this in mind. Need a Blackbird kitted for recon? No problem. A Peacemaker to be used as a troop transport? Done. An Albatross built for bulk-liquid transporting? As soon as you cut the check.
Parts are as standardized as they can possibly be - some maintenance techs have been given flashbacks to when they played with Legos as a child. Modularity also features prominently, so a BAT ship can be re-purposed with ease, especially when the kit has been ordered from BAT.