Flow Aerospace Systems awarded contract by Boeing for waterjet composite machining centres

Ascent Aerospace, an AIP Aerospace (AIPA) Company, announced the award of a capital equipment contract by The Boeing Company to its Flow Aerospace Systems business.

The contract includes two Flow Aerospace Composite Machining Centers (CMC), to be delivered and installed 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.

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 programs.

“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,” said Brain Williams, president and CEO, Ascent Aerospace. “We are pleased support Boeing on this prestigious program.”