Damon Mcknight
Boeing Aerostructures Australia manufactures the movable trailing edge control surfaces of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a wide-body jet airliner, using a unique carbon fibre production technology called resin infusion. This technology was developed in Victoria and enables the components to be cured without a traditional autoclave. Fishermans Bend in Melbourne is the only Boeing location in the world to apply this system. The company has invested $70 million in site improvements to support 787 production increases over the next decade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Boeing Aerostructures Australia |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787 Dreamliner |
| Location | Fishermans Bend, Melbourne |
| Employees | 800-1200 |
| Production | Moveable trailing edge control surfaces |
| Technology | Carbon fibre, resin infusion |
| Investment | $70 million in site improvements |
| Contract Value | $5 billion over 20 years |
| Suppliers | Lovitt Technologies Australia, H&H, Marand |
| Universities | RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Melbourne |
Explore related products
$25.99
What You'll Learn
- Boeing Aerostructures Australia manufactures the movable trailing edge
- The 787 Dreamliner is made from carbon fibre composite materials
- Boeing Australia is Boeing's largest subdivision outside the US
- The movable trailing edge is designed to withstand bird strikes
- Boeing Aerostructures Australia has invested $70 million in site improvements
Boeing Aerostructures Australia manufactures the movable trailing edge
Boeing Aerostructures Australia is Australia's only designer and manufacturer of advanced composite aerostructure components for commercial aircraft. The company has over 800 employees, according to one source, while another states that the number is over 1,200. In addition to the 787 movable trailing edge, the company produces flight control surface products such as 737 rudders, winglets, 747 moveable leading edges, and sole-source supply for 737 ailerons. They also produce 777 cove lip doors, elevators, and rudders.
Boeing Aerostructures Australia was formerly known as de Havilland Australia Company, established in 1927. It became Hawker de Havilland Australia in 1961 and acquired the former Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) in 1986. In 2000, Boeing acquired de Havilland Australia, including CAC and ASTA, and the company became Boeing Aerostructures Australia. The company has invested $70 million in site improvements to support 787 production increases over the next decade.
Boeing Australia is Boeing's largest subdivision outside the United States. It has more than 4,500 employees spread across 38 locations in every Australian state and territory except Tasmania. Boeing Australia has an investment of more than $800 million and generates approximately $400 million in export revenue for the country through its commercial and defence products and services.
Rossi Boots: Australian-Made or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 787 Dreamliner is made from carbon fibre composite materials
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a wide-body jet airliner with a carrying capacity of 210 to 330 passengers. It is the first airliner to be made primarily from composite materials, with nearly 50% carbon fibre reinforced plastic and other composites. The remaining composition includes 20% aluminium, 15% titanium, 10% steel, and 5% other materials. In total, each Dreamliner contains about 70,000 pounds (33 tons) of carbon fibre reinforced plastic, of which about 45,000 pounds (20 tons) is carbon fibre.
The use of composites in the Dreamliner offers several advantages. One of the primary benefits is weight reduction, with composites contributing to an average weight saving of 20% compared to conventional aluminium designs. This weight reduction lowers specific fuel costs, improves the range/payload equation, and benefits the environment. Additionally, composites provide maintenance advantages. Repairs that previously required 24 or more hours of downtime can now be addressed with Boeing's new line of maintenance repair capability, which takes less than an hour to apply. This speedy technique allows for temporary repairs and a quick turnaround, preventing minor damage from grounding the aircraft.
The Dreamliner's engine options, including GE (GEnx-1B) and Rolls-Royce (Trent 1000), also incorporate composites. The nacelles (inlet and fan cowls) and fan blades of the GE engines utilise composites, and the blade technology has advanced significantly since the days of the Rolls-Royce RB211. The early carbon fibre fan blades failed bird strike tests, but General Electric has pioneered titanium-tipped composite fan blade technology since 1995. In the Dreamliner power plant, composites are used in the first five stages of the seven-stage low-pressure turbine.
The use of carbon fibre composites in the Dreamliner has also raised safety concerns. While composite materials offer advantages in terms of weight reduction and maintenance, there were initial concerns about their crashworthiness compared to traditional metal aircraft. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted multiple fire tests in November 2007, demonstrating the superior performance of composite plastics used in the 787 compared to metal. The composite material provides extra time for passengers to exit the aircraft in an emergency, even without insulation. Additionally, the composite fuselage doesn't break like glass; instead, it tends to stick together by the fibres, improving its impact resistance.
In Australia, Boeing Aerostructures Australia, Boeing's largest subdivision outside the United States, manufactures the 'moveable trailing edge' control surfaces of the 787 Dreamliner. This is done using a unique carbon fibre production technology developed in Victoria called resin infusion. Fishermans Bend, Melbourne, is the only Boeing location globally that applies this resin infusion system, enabling the curing of components without a traditional autoclave. With over 800 employees, Boeing Aerostructures Australia produces various flight control surface products and collaborates with local universities. All aircraft components are then shipped to the United States for final assembly at Boeing's factories.
Arnott's Biscuits: Australian-Made or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Boeing Australia is Boeing's largest subdivision outside the US
Boeing Australia, Boeing's largest subdivision outside the United States, was established in 1997. It oversees seven wholly owned subsidiaries, consolidating and coordinating Boeing's businesses and operations in Australia. With more than 4500 employees spread across 38 locations in every state and territory except Tasmania, Boeing has played a significant role in Australia's aerospace industry.
The company's involvement in Australia began with its subsidiary Boeing Aerostructures Australia, formerly known as de Havilland Australia Company, which was established in 1927. It became Hawker de Havilland Australia in 1961, and the company acquired the former Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) in 1986. In 2000, Boeing acquired de Havilland Australia, including CAC and ASTA, which then became Boeing Aerostructures Australia.
Boeing Aerostructures Australia, with over 800-1000 employees, is responsible for designing, testing, certifying, and producing advanced structures for commercial and defence aircraft. Notably, they manufacture the 'moveable trailing edge' control surfaces of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner using a unique carbon fibre production technology called resin infusion. This technology was developed in Victoria, and Fishermans Bend in Melbourne is the only Boeing location worldwide that applies this system, enabling the curing of components without a traditional autoclave.
Boeing Australia has invested significantly in site improvements and innovations, reflecting the company's long-term commitment to its Australian operations. The company also has strong partnerships with local communities and universities, contributing to research and development and creating advanced manufacturing technologies. Boeing generates approximately $400 million in export revenue for Australia through its commercial and defence products and services.
US Rating in Australia: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$149.99
The movable trailing edge is designed to withstand bird strikes
Bird strikes are a major threat to aircraft structures, and collisions with birds during flight can lead to serious structural damage and even loss of life. The ability of an aircraft structure to withstand bird strikes is, therefore, a critical safety consideration in aircraft design.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first airliner to be made primarily from composite materials, mainly carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. The movable trailing edge (MTE) of the 787 is designed and manufactured by Boeing Aerostructures Australia, using a unique carbon fibre production technology called resin infusion. This technology enables the components to be cured without a traditional autoclave.
To ensure the MTE's ability to withstand bird strikes, Boeing has developed a validated simulation methodology. This methodology employs explicit finite element software, PAM-CRASH™, which uses advanced composite material, fastener, and smooth particle hydrodynamic bird models. The modelling procedures were validated through comparison with existing test data and the testing and analysis of representative structures. This allowed for the evaluation of numerous bird-strike scenarios, leading to improved design efficiency and safety.
The design concept of the MTE is based on the absorption of the major portion of the bird's kinetic energy by the composite skins. To achieve this, the leading edge (LE) skin is fabricated from specially designed 'tensor skin' panels, which unfold under the impact load, increasing the energy absorption capability of the LE. This helps protect the ribs and inner LE structure from damage, preserving the tail plane functionality for safe landing.
Emirates' Australia-Japan Flights: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Boeing Aerostructures Australia has invested $70 million in site improvements
Boeing Aerostructures Australia, the country's only designer and manufacturer of advanced composite aerostructure components for commercial aircraft, has invested $70 million in site improvements. This investment is to support 787 production increases over the next decade. This long-term investment in Australia is due to Boeing's commitment to the training and development of its people, and its belief in research and development to create the next generation of manufacturing technology.
Based in Melbourne's Fishermans Bend, the company has a long heritage in Australian aviation. It was formerly known as de Havilland Australia Company, which was established in 1927. It became Hawker de Havilland Australia in 1961 and was acquired by Boeing in 2000. Today, the business designs, tests, certifies and produces world-class advanced structures, including the moveable trailing edge control surfaces of the 787 Dreamliner. This is the most technically advanced commercial aircraft in the world.
Boeing Aerostructures Australia manufactures the 787's moveable trailing edge using a unique carbon fibre production technology called resin infusion. This technology was developed in Victoria and enables components to be cured without a traditional autoclave. Fishermans Bend is the only Boeing location in the world to use this system. The use of resin-infused composite materials also contributes to increased fuel savings on the aircraft as it requires less infrastructure, labour and energy to produce a composite part.
In addition to its work on the 787, Boeing Aerostructures Australia's over 800 employees produce flight control surface products such as 737 rudders, winglets and ailerons, as well as 777 cove lip doors, elevators and rudders. All aircraft components are shipped to the United States for final assembly at Boeing's factories in South Carolina and Washington State.
Chobani Yogurt: Australian-Made or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner's movable trailing edge is manufactured in Fishermans Bend, Victoria, Australia.
The Boeing 787 is the first airliner to be made primarily from composite materials, mainly carbon fibre reinforced plastic.
The Boeing Aerostructures Australia manufacturing site in Fishermans Bend is the only Boeing location in the world that uses a unique resin infusion system. This system enables the components to be cured without a traditional autoclave.
