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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 1341.PDF
Boeing details 737/757 plan for moving production line GUY NORRIS/LOS ANGELES BOEING has revealed details of its plans to implement a mov ing production line at Renton, Washington for the 737 - and has for the first time acknowledged similar plans for die 7 5 7. News of the initiative came after Boeing announced its intention to move 757 fuselage assembly to Wichita, Kansas, as part of efforts to boost efficiency by streamlining production. Boeing says that "over the next two to three years" 757 fuselage fabrication will move to Wichita, where the 737 fuselage is built, and will be manufactured using the more advanced robotic technology developed for die 737 Next Generation family. The fuse lages would then be transported to Renton by train. The move dovetails widi efforts to introduce a moving production line for both models at Renton. Although the 7 5 7 will not be "mov ing" in the same sense as the 717- 200 line at Long Beach, California, Boeing says it expects automated tugs to tow aircraft between posi tions. Even though diis movement will not begin until next year, the company expects significant bene fits from the lean manufacturing techniques being implemented to support the transition. Benefits expected by December include a 13 Is and 757s will soon be nose-to-tail under Renton's moving line plan 17% reduction in final assembly days, a 7% improvement in inven tory turns, a 17% cut in direct labour hours and up to an 11% reduction in support labour. The 757-200/300 aircraft in final assembly are now aligned nose-to-tail, instedd of die tradi tional slant pgsitfo'ns. Boeing says "simulation'Nof the moving line process on the 757 has just begun, whereas the simulation for the 7 3 7 changeover began in late 1999 on one of the three assembly lines. After die success of the simula tion on the initial line (line number two), Boeing has also begun the same process on the last two posi tions of a second assembly line. A temporary winch was rigged to pull aircraft to simulate a pulsed line while automated tugs designed for the 757 are expected eventually to be used on die 73 7 line. Boeing says that, unlike Long Beach, where a chain drive was installed in a trench for the 717 in a "green field" site left empty by the closure of theMD-80/90 lines, the frantic pace of 737 production at Renton has required a different approach. "The challenge has been how to implement a moving line when you already have a full-up production rate," says the compa ny. The 717 is currently in a pulsed mode, but is expected to become fully moving in August. • Airborne Express to fitTCASandADS-B AIRBORNE Express has joined FedEx Express in breaking ranks with fellow US Cargo Airline Association (CAA) members and deciding to equip its freighters widi die traffic alert and collision avoid ance system (TCAS). Rockwell Collins will provide 113 of the latest Version 7 TCAS 2 units for Airbome's McDonnell Douglas DC-8s and DC-9s and Boeing 767s. Three years ago, FedEx Express elected to equip its 334 freighters with TCAS to meet international requirements, while backing the CAAs development of an automat ic dependent surveillance-broad cast (ADS-B) collision avoidance system. United Parcel Service, which champions the develop ment, has TCAS on around 80 aircraft flying international routes, but is also acquiring ADS-B sys tems made by its subsidiary UPS Aviation Technologies. Passenger aircraft operating in US airspace must already fly with TCAS, but new laws require TCAS 2 or an equivalent system to be fitted on US registered cargo aircraft by die end of next year. The US Federal Aviation Adminis tration has yet to rule on whether ADS-B can substitute for TCAS 2. The FAA is under pressure from the National Transportation Safety Board, which believes ADS-B cannot perform to TCAS standards and will take too long to implement. Industry sources say Airborne Express felt compelled to comply now. • o AAR Aircraft Component Services, London. Authorised Grimes European* warranty & general repair centre. AAR Aircraft Component Services, London have been appointed European warranty and general repair centre for all Grimes Vision Products. The approval enhances our position as one of the worlds premiere repair stations. AAR London also specialise in the overhaul and maintenance of electronics, fuel, hydraulics, pneumatic, galley equipment, Cargo systems and PL Porter seat Actuators. AAR London is officially approved by both the JAA & FAA and our quality standards meet ISO9002 requirements. For further details on any of our capabilities contact our sales team Tel: 44 (020) 8640 2225 Fax: 44 (020) 8640 2855 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 17 - 23 April 2001 17
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