Know how to hold ’em
END USER: The Boeing Co., www.boeing.com. CHALLENGE: Boost productivity and reduce setup time when machining carbon fiber-reinforced plastic aircraft components. SOLUTION: Abrasive waterjet cutting technology and flexible workholding.
—————-
END USER: The Boeing Co., www.boeing.com. CHALLENGE: Boost productivity and reduce setup time when machining carbon fiber-reinforced plastic aircraft components. SOLUTION: Abrasive waterjet cutting technology and flexible workholding. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Flow International Corp., (800) 446-FLOW, www.flowwaterjet.com
—————-
Strong, lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is the go-to structural material for aircraft makers seeking fuel efficiency. A 1⁄16 “-thick CFRP wing skin, for example, has the same strength as a ¼ “-thick aluminum one but weighs 30 percent less. As a result, CFRPs are finding increasing application in new aircraft. A prime example is Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, which is about 80 percent CFRP by volume and 50 percent by weight.
Courtesy of MHI Proprietary
On a 120 ‘-long waterjet machine, a reconfigurable fixture from Flow employs 342 servocontrolled, vacuum-tipped actuators to hold a 100 ‘-long CFRP wing skin for a Boeing 787 airliner.
Review the print ads from this magazine to continue
This quick advertiser review unlocks the rest of the article and keeps the full-screen reader focused on the ads instead of the page chrome.
Continue reading
March 2011
Related
MFGAxis Discussion
Be part of the shop-floor conversation
Like, save, or comment on this CTE story.
MFGAxis Discussion