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Flow Aerospace Systems bags equipment contract by Boeing

29 Jul '15

2 min read

Ascent Aerospace, an AIP Aerospace (AIPA) company and a leading provider of aerospace tooling systems, assembly and factory automation and integration, composite machining centres, and engineering services, has announced that its Flow Aerospace Systems business, a part of Ascent Aerospace's Integration & Automation Group, that designs and manufactures composites machining centres based on advanced waterjet technologies, has bagged the capital equipment contract by The Boeing Company.

According to the contract, Flow Aerospace Systems has to deliver and install two Flow Aerospace Composite Machining Centers (CMCs) at Boeing's St Louis Composites Center in 2016.

Boeing will use Flow's CMC to trim, mill, drill, and verify the contour of graphite composite parts for the Boeing 777X, an advanced family of wide body, twin-engine, long range jet airliners.

A CMC consists of a gantry machining center with twin masts mounting both an advanced waterjet and a mechanical spindle. Designed for the St Louis Composites Center, this sophisticated multi-axis machining equipment represents Flow Aerospace's fifth generation CMC. With a working envelope of approximately 65 feet by 20 feet, the system includes the latest waterjet technology and support systems, with integrated lasers for tool and part validation. It also utilizes Flow's latest Flexible Header System (FHS), for versatile part positioning, eliminating the need for traditional “hard” trim tools, according to a press release.

Flow Aerospace presented a competitive proposal demonstrating the continued improvement of their machines and systems for supporting reliable multi-axis composite machining methods. The design demonstrates a commitment to increased part throughput for the growth of Boeing programmes.

Brain Williams, president and CEO, Ascent Aerospace said, “Waterjets have become the standard for meeting the aerospace industry's production requirements for composite structures. Flow Aerospace Systems is uniquely positioned to serve this segment resulting from our deep experience and innovative technology. We are pleased to support Boeing on this prestigious programme.” (GK)

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