Spirit AeroSystems has matured a low-cost, high-rate composite manufacturing process for primary wing box parts distribution, the company said during the Farnborough International Airshow.
The work is being done by its facilities in Prestwick, Scotland.
The “out of autoclave” fabrication process will produce high tolerance composite integrated parts such as primary wing skins and spars with less energy, lower capital investment and lower part production costs, the company said.
Marcello Grassi, Spirit Europe’s head of technology, called it a “crucial milestone” in its quest to deliver to its customers a composite production system that’s capable of coping with high production rates with more balanced and sustainable technology.
Boeing is projecting a large and growing market for commercial airplane services over the next 20 years, the company said at the Farnborough International Airshow near London.
Boeing forecasts a market for $2.4 trillion in services over the next 20 years.
The market for services is expected to grow 4 percent annually in the next two decades.
“Airlines are looking for every possible advantage to succeed, from efficiencies in maintenance services to breakthroughs in flight operations and information technology,” Lou Mancini, senior vice president for Boeing commercial aviation services, said in a statement. “Demand for this kind of support and services is only going to grow as fuel prices remain high, fleet size increases and airlines look for ways to improve their overall operations and reduce costs while focusing on their core business, serving passengers.”
