Installation Of Assembly Jigs Latest Milestone To Be
Reached
Bombardier has begun installing semi-automated jigs at its new
wing facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to support assembly of
the advanced composite wings for the all-new CSeries aircraft. The
jigs, fixed machinery that will be used to assemble the primary
structural components of the composite wing torque box, are being
installed in the second phase of a new, state-of-the-art 600,000
sq. ft. manufacturing and assembly facility. The first phase of the
new factory, which will accommodate the fabrication of the
composite components, was completed on schedule towards the end of
2010.
Bombardier's Belfast operation is responsible for the design,
manufacture and integration of the advanced composite wings for the
CS100 and CS300 jets, including all flight control surfaces and
high-lift systems. The primary structural components of the wings
will be produced using the unique Resin Transfer Infusion (RTI)
process that has been developed by Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast
engineers.
"The installation of the wing assembly jigs is another milestone
that brings us a step closer to producing wings for the CSeries
aircraft program," said Michael Ryan, Vice President and General
Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast. "The jigs are highly
automated and will allow us to control the assembly of the wings
with a high degree of precision. We already installed a specially
designed assembly jig to produce a pre-production wing technology
demonstrator, and are now applying what we have learned from this
to the actual production assembly jigs. We are confident that,
working with our suppliers, we have implemented a tooling process
that meets our high production standards," he said.
Last summer, Bombardier successfully completed the ultimate load
test on the CSeries aircraft composite pre-production wing,
replicating 150 per cent of the most severe forces the wing is ever
likely to experience in service. The pre-production wing is part of
the overall complex research and development program that
Bombardier has undertaken to 'prove out' the new technology,
manufacturing and assembly processes it is applying to the
composite wing.
Meanwhile, all production equipment has been installed in the
fabrication section of the new wing facility, which comprises a
production area and low contamination 'clean room' area. Equipment
installed includes a fabric cutter, a multiple-axis machine cell,
pre-formers, an autoclave and non-destructive testing equipment.
Production of the CSeries aircraft advanced composite wings is due
to begin later this year.