Boldman Ltd, the Bolton-based modular tooling supplier, has been selected as a prime supplier to BAE Systems on the F-35 Lightning II

programme.

The Boldman solution to BAE Systems' manufacturing requirements is a unique product that provides a totally flexible tooling solution in

modular form. The tooling systems can be configured quickly to accommodate a multitude of manufacturing scenarios. No other tooling

system is as capable, fully adjustable and re-configurable.

The company supplies modular tooling for the production line at BAE Systems' Samlesbury site, which produces the aft fuselage and empennage (vertical and horizontal tails) for the F-35 aircraft. Boldman is one of the UK's biggest suppliers of aluminium profile systems.

The F-35 programme has benefited from the use of modular tooling with the majority of the early ground based demonstrator assemblies being manufactured in nine modular structures.

Boldman uses a modular aluminium extrusion system for complex production line applications such as large aerospace framework assembly tooling on the F-35 line.

BAE Systems join Lockheed Martin in selecting Boldman as a prime supplier for modular assembly tooling used in the manufacture of the aft

fuselage and empennage aircraft assemblies in the Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the programme.

An expert in modular tooling, Boldman provides a revolutionary alternative to conventional steel jigs once extensively used in the

aerospace industry.

No strangers to innovation, Boldman developed the modular tooling in conjunction with engineers at BAE Systems in the run up to start of

manufacture of the aircraft.

"We worked closely with Boldman to develop the tooling" said Mark Durning, BAE Systems' Operations Manager - F-35 Lightning II. "The

innovative tooling we developed together is now proving its worth on the F-35 assembly line" he added.

Besides the production advantages of modular tooling, other key uses of the system are in the manufacturing of development tooling.

"We are pleased to have been selected by BAE Systems as a prime supplier on modular tooling for the F-35 line", states Nigel Clarke,

Managing Director of Boldman. "Our modular aluminium systems are used across a wide range of aerospace projects for customers around the world. We pride ourselves on being able to provide innovative tooling systems for any aerospace application", he added.