BMW and Boeing to collaborate on carbon-fiber materials
Two heavyweights in the automotive and aerospace industries are joining minds on lighter materials. BMW and Boeing on Dec. 12 announced they would do joint research on carbon-fiber recycling and share knowledge about the material and its manufacture. As part of the collaboration agreement, the two companies will also share carbon-fiber manufacturing process simulations and ideas for manufacturing automation. BMW in 2013 plans to introduce two models from its new i brand (i3 battery-electric and i8 plug-in hybrid) featuring bodies made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner aircraft is made up of 50% carbon fiber. The collaboration is the first ever between the two companies.
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The bodies of BMW's i brand models will use carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. (Patrick Ponticel)
Parker Aerospace, GE Aviation launch joint venture
Parker Aerospace and GE Aviation reached an agreement to form a joint venture, Advanced Atomization Technologies LLC, to enhance the development and manufacture of commercial aircraft engine fuel nozzles. This represents a critical addition to the comprehensive GE fuel management team. The 50:50 joint venture—created specifically to produce fuel nozzles for current and future GE Aviation commercial engine platforms (including aerospace and aero-derivative engines)—will be located in the Parker Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division facility in Clyde, NY. The joint venture will employ approximately 300 skilled assemblers, technicians, engineers, and other professionals in the production of advanced fuel nozzles and related products for GE Aviation.
XCOR announces ATK as Lynx Mark I Wing detailed design/build contractor
XCOR Aerospace has issued the initial phase of a two-phase contract to ATK's Aerospace Structures Division for the detailed design and manufacture of the Lynx Mark I suborbital reusable launch vehicle (RLV) wings and control surfaces. The initial wing and control surface design has been developed by XCOR to rigorous design standards to enable the craft to perform tens of thousands of flights to and from suborbital altitudes exceeding 100 km. ATK will create a detailed design ready for manufacture, working with structural and flutter analysis experts from Quartus Engineering in San Diego, CA. The wings will be installed on the Lynx Mark I, which is the prototype of the Lynx family of suborbital RLVs from XCOR; the production models are called Lynx Mark II.
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Proposed detailed wing design for XCOR Lynx Mark I to be designed by ATK.
GE Aviation acquires pair of precision manufacturing companies
GE Aviation has acquired the assets of Morris Technologies and its sister company, Rapid Quality Manufacturing, precision manufacturing companies operating in suburban Cincinnati, OH. The companies, with about 130 employees, specialize in additive manufacturing, an automated process for creating rapid prototypes and end-use production components. With this acquisition, GE Aviation expands its engineering and manufacturing capabilities to meet its growing jet engine production rates over the next five years. Morris Technologies (Sharonville, OH) and Rapid Quality Manufacturing (West Chester, OH) have supplied parts to GE Aviation for several years, as well as to GE Power Systems and GE Global Research Center. The Sharonville and West Chester facilities will become part of GE Aviation's global network of manufacturing operations. Both companies focus on the aerospace, energy, oil & gas, and medical industries.
SAE offers new credential program for engineers
SAE International is introducing a personnel credentialing program that enables engineers, product development technicians, and associated personnel to earn a Certificate of Competency or Certification in the Design Review Based on Failure Modes (DRBFM) methodology. Created by industry professionals for industry professionals, the program was developed and segmented into three distinct levels to meet the needs of specific personnel. Exam questions align with the body of knowledge to address each of the three levels. The DRBFM Process and Application Certificate of Competency is designed for individuals who require training and validation of knowledge in DRBFM process methodology. Job roles include product engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, supplier quality engineers, validation and test engineers, and facilitators, trainers, and consultants in all industries. This credential requires completing an open-enrollment training course and passing an online exam. Registration is now open for the December 2012 offering of this program. For more information, contact SAE International at certification@sae.org or visit https://www.saecredentialingalliance.org/go/drbfm.
General Dynamics acquires Gayston's defense ops
General Dynamics acquired the defense operations of Gayston Corp., a privately held company that supplies precision metal components used in several munitions programs. Gayston's defense operations employ 187 people at a facility in Springboro, OH, which is optimized for aluminum impact extrusion manufacturing. Among its products, Gayston manufactures rocket motor tubes for the U.S. Army's Hydra-70 air-to-ground rocket program. It also provides liners and cartridges for 40-mm ammunition rounds and components for 60-120-mm mortar rounds to a variety of customers. The defense operations of Gayston will become part of Charlotte, NC-based General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a provider of high-performance weapon and armament systems, composite products, and heavy-duty off-road axle and suspension systems to the U.S. military, allied forces, and commercial customers.
KUKA Systems selected as supplier partner for Bell 525 Relentless production line
Bell Helicopters has named KUKA Systems as its supplier partner for developing the manufacturing line for the new Bell 525 Relentless super medium-class commercial helicopter. Design and engineering work are under way for the Bell 525 Relentless production line, which will assemble the entire airframe. When the design is finalized and all tooling and processes are confirmed, the Bell 525 is expected to become the second largest line KUKA Systems has built in the North American aerospace sector. The largest is the Integrated Assembly Line being built for Northrop Grumman Corp. to construct the fuselage of the F35-II program. The Bell 525 Relentless will be a hybrid of composites and metal, requiring different processes and tooling. The line is scheduled for setup in Bell's Amarillo, TX, plant.
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The Bell 525 Relentless will have a maximum gross weight of 18,000 lb plus and will be capable of carrying up to 16 passengers at a top speed of 260 km/h for distances up to 740 km.
TECT announces new manufacturing facility in Mexico
TECT announced today that the newest member of its family of businesses, TECT Aerospace Components, located in Guanajuato, Mexico, has begun manufacturing operations in support of sister business TECT Aerospace. TECT Aerospace Components' new facility is producing three- and four-axis machined and fabricated components for TECT Aerospace that get incorporated into larger work statements and complex assemblies for several end customers in the Seattle, WA; Wichita, KS; and Ft. Worth, TX, areas. Once the initial startup phase is completed, TECT Aerospace Components plans to begin servicing external customers. TECT expects to employ 50 full-time workers in Guanajuato when the facility meets its initial ramp-up objectives.
Airbus to establish assembly line in U.S. (video)
Airbus has announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility in the United States to assemble and deliver the family of A319, A320, and A321 aircraft. Located at the Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile, AL, it will be the company's first U.S.-based production facility. Construction of the assembly line will begin in summer 2013. Aircraft assembly is planned to start in 2015, with first deliveries from the facility beginning in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft per year by 2018. In Alabama, Airbus already operates an engineering center in Mobile—also located at Brookley Aeroplex and employing more than 200 engineers and support staff—as well as an Airbus Military customer services operation supporting U.S. Coast Guard aircraft. The new Mobile assembly line, together with associated functions, should create as many as 1000 new high-skilled jobs. For video of Fabrice Brégier, Airbus CEO, discussing the announcement, click here.
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For video of Fabrice Brégier, Airbus CEO, discussing the announcement, visit http://youtu.be/EkRmkgW4xBw.
Goodrich opens new facility in Brea, CA
Goodrich Corp. has opened its new facility in Brea, CA, which will provide rescue hoists, cargo winches, digital data systems, and inflight entertainment products and related services for the aerospace and defense industry. The 105,000-ft² site facility is part of Goodrich's Sensors and Integrated Systems business, and employs approximately 260 people in high-tech disciplines including engineering, manufacturing, and administrative functions. The site will also serve as the business's software center of excellence, providing software design and support to all Sensors and Integrated Systems sites worldwide. The new site combines two former Goodrich facilities in Diamond Bar and Monterey Park, CA, and has additional space available for future expansion and business growth.
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