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MHI to expand output of Boeing 787 composite wing boxes

28 Aug '14

2 min read

In response to Boeing's plan to increase production rate of its 787 Dreamliner from current 10 shipsets per month to 14 shipsets by 2020, Japan-based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) said it will make additional investments in production facilities for producing 787 composite wing boxes.

Beginning from October 2014, MHI will begin construction work to expand facilities at Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works and Nagoya Aerospace Systems.

Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works manufactures composite stringers - a reinforcement structure and Nagoya Aerospace Systems fabricates and assembles composite skin panels and wing boxes.

The expanded capacities are expected to be operational in 2016, MHI informed.

Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works will expand the aircraft shop and will add autoclave for curing and shape-forming the layered composite prepregs under high temperature and high pressure.

While in the Nagoya plant, automated composite tape layer in the fabrication factory will be added and the painting and assembly plant will be expanded by modifying an automated drilling machine and installation of painting robot.

MHI by expanding its production capacity and supplying 787 composite wing boxes of high quality, expects to play a crucial role in the 787 project - a significant step in expanding its commercial aircraft business.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India