The evolution of the commercial aerospace landscape
Following the grounding of the 737 and the downturn caused by the pandemic, Boeing finds itself a distant second to Airbus. What should it do?
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
Boeing adjusts 2021 787 production downward
Persistent headwinds in international air travel have compelled Boeing to reduced 787 production from six to five per month by mid-2021.
GE Aviation GE9X engine achieves FAA certification
Ten GE9X engines have been delivered to power Boeing’s four 777X flight test airplanes after completing just under 5,000 hours and 8,000 cycles for certification.
Strata, Solvay joint venture facility completed
The 8,500-square-meter United Arab Emirates facility will supply carbon fiber prepreg to Boeing for primary structures on the 777X program.
SME recognizes leaders in aerospace and defense manufacturing
Boeing technical fellow Kurtis Willden, Aligned Vision and the Boeing Co. received 2020 Excellence in Composites Manufacturing Awards.
Boeing 777X achieves first successful flight
The 777X jetliner, which features the longest carbon fiber composite aircraft wings yet manufactured, took to the skies for its maiden flight on Jan. 25.
The markets: Aerospace (2020)
Despite the 737 MAX groundings, several new programs on the horizon portend increasing use of composites in commercial aerostructures for several decades.
The markets: Aerospace (2021)
The coronavirus pandemic, a once-in-a-millennia global catastrophe, has depressed commercial air travel in unprecedented and disastrous ways. Implications start with the airlines themselves and trickle down to major airframers and the entire tier structure of the aerospace supply chain.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
How much is that composite wing in the window?
With Spirit AeroSystems buying Bombardier’s Belfast operations, the future of composites fabrication for large commercial aerostructures starts to come into focus.
Composites 2020: A Multitude of Markets
The manufacturing world likes to think of composites fabrication as a single, global entity that operates to serve its customers’ needs with a variety of highly engineered parts and structures.
Evolving AFP for the next generation
‘Aerospace quality at automotive pace’ is the mantra of the supply chain being developed for next-generation commercial aircraft. Automation is evolving to meet the challenge.
Automated, in-situ inspection a necessity for next-gen aerospace
Inline inspection technologies continue to evolve with the aim of providing faster and more accurate part inspection.
SAMPE 2019: The highlights
CompositesWorld was at SAMPE 2019 and offers a summary of highlights from the show and conference.
Large, high-volume, infused composite structures on the aerospace horizon
Infused carbon fiber composite structures are not new, but they have never been built at the rates anticipated for next-generation, single-aisle aircraft. It is a daunting prospect — but a feasible one.
Second Boeing 777X completes first flight
The second of four 777X test aircraft made its first flight on April 30 to test handling characteristics and other aspects of airplane performance.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Mission critical: An additive manufacturing breakthrough in commercial aviation
The GE9X is the first commercial aircraft engine to reach production with significant additive content. The story of GE’s accomplishment and why it matters.
Opportunities, challenges for composites in future aircraft
As the commercial aerospace sector prepares for a new round of major program launches, the question of where and how composites will be applied weighs heavily on the supply chain.
Web Industries' Seattle facility to speed delivery to Boeing, Toray
The new production facility will produce precision-formatted composites for OEMs in the Pacific Northwest, including the Boeing 777X assembly plant.
Boeing CTO addresses advanced materials in aerospace, urban mobility
Boeing CTO Dr. Greg Hyslop, in SAMPE keynote, discusses the company’s aircraft programs and the role composites will play in the future of aerial infrastructure.
Next-generation aerospace: shaping the supply chain landscape
The global commercial aerospace industry is at a unique time.
What does the future hold for Bombardier Belfast?
Bombardier Belfast, fabricator of the infused composite wings for the Airbus A220 single-aisle aircraft, is for sale. The ownership under which this facility lands may say a lot about the future of infusion in large aerostructures.
Boeing, Airbus announce Q1 2020 results
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically decreased air passenger travel, causing a dramatic decline in new aircraft orders and production. Boeing and Airbus are implementing efforts to reduce costs.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
JEC 2019 at first glance
CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan reflects on first impressions from JEC World 2019, from aerospace industry insights to automotive composite technologies.
Boeing 777X debut may face delays
Recent news reports have said that this week’s debut of the Boeing 777X jetliner has been postponed.
Boeing to supply ELG carbon fiber for recycling
Under a five-year agreement, Boeing will supply carbon fiber recycling specialist ELG Carbon Fibre with cured and uncured material from its 777X wing manufacturing facility, as well as other locations.
Boeing and Thermwood
The Boeing Co. (Chicago, IL, US) and Thermwood Corp. (Dale, IN, US) have employed additive manufacturing technology to produce a large, single-piece tool for the 777X program.
If you didn't make it to CAMX, here's what you missed
CAMX 2018 was held Oct. 15-18 in Dallas, and if you could not attend this year, CompositesWorld did it for you. This compendium of written and video reporting from the show is designed to bring you up to speed on the new products, trends, presentations and more that the show had to offer.
Cincinnati Inc.'s 3D printed trim tool for the 777X wing tip
Cincinnati Inc. explains the process for creating and their record-holding additively manufactured tool.
