SEATTLE—At a secret facility in Anacortes, WA, a small group of Boeing engineers will begin testing advanced automation methods for building the soon-to-be-launched 777X jet. The project promises to dramatically change how the plane’s metal hull is built.
Think all big trucks look the same? Don’t tell that to an engineer at Kenworth Truck Co. The legendary firm is synonymous with hard-working, well-built vehicles.
SEATTLE—FAA is proposing a $2.75 million civil penalty against Boeing Co.’s commercial airplanes unit for allegedly “failing to maintain its quality control system in accordance with approved FAA procedures.” In a statement, FAA said that in September 2008, “Boeing discovered that it had been installing nonconforming fasteners on its model 777 airplanes.”
As household appliance manufacturers continue using thinner sheets of material, engineers must address new challenges and explore alternative joining solutions.
Washers help threaded fasteners in many ways, most notably by effectively distributing and maintaining clamp load, and preventing fastener movement or corrosion.
To the general public, a washer is just a cheap metal disc that keeps screws, bolts, and nuts tight. But to manufacturers, a washer is a vital fastening component, specially designed to perform unique functions and ensure a reliable bolted joint.
Electric tools have been available for more than a decade. However, until recently, many manufacturers were reluctant to invest in the technology because DC electric screwdrivers and nutrunners traditionally were more expensive than air-powered alternatives.
Steel is not about to disappear anytime soon as the dominant material used in the home appliance industry. Unlike automakers, which are turning to aluminum, carbon-fiber composites, magnesium, plastic and other lightweight materials, steel still rules in the world of refrigerators, dishwashers and dryers.
This eight-station automatic system produces a hinge in less than 10 seconds.
June 3, 2013
Manufacturing engineers have two options for obtaining an automated assembly system. They can get each component—an automatic screwdriver, a rotary indexing dial, a gripper—from individual suppliers and integrate the parts themselves. Or, they can ask one supplier to deliver a turnkey machine.