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Lean, mean, Dream machine - The Boeing 787 takes shape
www.flightglobal.com ^ | 6/12/07 | Guy Norris

Posted on 06/11/2007 12:41:09 PM PDT by Freeport

The world's most advanced civil aircraft production line is taking shape in Seattle, as the 787 begins the final lap of its journey to first flight

Inside Boeing's cavernous Everett construction plant near Seattle the race is on to assemble the first 787 by the planned 8 July roll-out date. Yet, compared with the bustling 777 production line in the adjacent 40-25 building, the 787 appears to be coming together almost by stealth.

Currently the 787 line in the 40-26 building contains only the first aircraft, ZA001, but it will seem relatively empty even when it is pumping out the twinjets at a rate of one every three days - a record for any widebody. Gone, for example, are the massive traditional "monument" assembly tools, and the complex infrastructure that is the usual feature of a large-aircraft assembly line.

© Mark Wagner / Aviation-images.com Boeing's 777 line at Everett "pulses" along, with the aircraft assembled in a nose-to-tail position

The line and its new processes are unlike anything seen in the Everett building since the first bays were built for the 747 programme over 40 years ago. This is due to lean manufacturing principles used to design the line, and the decision to bring in the 787 parts as large subassemblies.

"This is a very different production model," says 787 manufacturing and quality vice-president Steve Westby. "There are changes in technology covering everything from the way we exchange information to the logistics involved in how we get the parts here."

(Excerpt) Read more at flightglobal.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Technical
KEYWORDS: 787; airbus; boeing; leanmanufacturing

1 posted on 06/11/2007 12:41:11 PM PDT by Freeport
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To: Freeport

bump.


2 posted on 06/11/2007 12:48:40 PM PDT by Sonny M ("oderint dum metuant")
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To: Freeport

The real question - will the 787 go into revenue service before the 380. Probably not, but you never can tell what problem will turn up on the 380 next.


3 posted on 06/11/2007 12:55:17 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: Freeport

I see a new Air Force 1 in Hillary’s future. Nothin’ too good for ‘er majesty.


4 posted on 06/11/2007 12:58:45 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum.)
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To: PAR35
The real question - will the 787 go into revenue service before the 380

Nah. Doesn't matter. The 787 is what the carriers want and need: a hyper efficient medium capacity revenue machine that maximizes existing infrastructure and minimizes operating costs.

It's a home run, no matter what the froggies do with their whale.

5 posted on 06/11/2007 12:59:04 PM PDT by Regulator
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To: Freeport

Is Boeing set to take back the “largest airplane company” title from Airbus yet?


6 posted on 06/11/2007 1:02:01 PM PDT by Jedi Master Pikachu ( What is your take on Acts 15:20 (abstaining from blood) about eating meat? Could you freepmail?)
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To: Jedi Master Pikachu
I read the whole article and this is going to be a huge a__ whuppin for Airbus and the fight is barely begun.

Once Boeing successfully completes this launch they can launch any new models this way or relaunch old ones.

7 posted on 06/11/2007 1:10:45 PM PDT by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
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To: Regulator
no matter what the froggies do with their whale.

They could always name it after DeGaul and turn it into an ex-colony.

8 posted on 06/11/2007 1:15:40 PM PDT by Tom Bombadil
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To: Regulator

>>>>hyper efficient medium capacity revenue machine

Exactly.

Airlines love their 767s (and so do passengers) and the stretch 737s.

Who would have ever thought that the 757 would be out of production but the 1960s 737 would be going strong?


9 posted on 06/11/2007 2:03:34 PM PDT by MindBender26 (Having my own CAR-15 in Vietnam meant never having to say I was sorry......)
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To: Tom Bombadil
They could always name it after DeGaul and turn it into an ex-colony

Considering the ethnic content of the Banlieus, I vote for "Gaulistan"

10 posted on 06/11/2007 2:17:33 PM PDT by Regulator
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To: MindBender26
Who would have ever thought that the 757 would be out of production but the 1960s 737 would be going strong?

That IS amazing, isn't it?

I predict the 87 to do the same in its segment.

11 posted on 06/11/2007 2:18:58 PM PDT by Regulator
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To: Regulator

And there are 737s that hold more pax (215) than the original 767 (211!)


12 posted on 06/11/2007 3:14:30 PM PDT by MindBender26 (Having my own CAR-15 in Vietnam meant never having to say I was sorry......)
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To: MindBender26

You don’t ever want to be on board a 737 configured for domestic service anywhere in Asia... unless you’re 115# or under...


13 posted on 06/11/2007 4:43:45 PM PDT by Neidermeyer
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To: Neidermeyer
Back before Air Florida put one in the Potomac and went TU, they flew 737s from MIA to Nassau. The seat pitch was about 27 inches. I wanted to put my legs in checked baggage.

Ever fly a 747 SR, (not the SP but the SR?) Made for JAL, ANA and other Asian airlines. 11 across, about four or five extra seat rows, three overwing exits on each side so the extra passengers could all get out (supposedly.)

The PRC even commissioned Boeing to investigate a SRO 747 for short flights. It was to have about 180 seats, 460 standees!

On recent flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai, 80% of passengers smoked from boarding to leaving a/c, with about 20 standing in aisle ready deplane AS WE TOUCHED DOWN.

All as opposed to Turkish Airlines. All brand new 737 700s, 8 stewards to will not let you put your bag in the overhead (they do it all) and a good hot meal (hot sandwich) on a 38 minute flight! Great service. Pilots are mostly former Turk AF and very good.

Then there was the Ivory Coast Airlines Viscount flight to Ghana in 2004. A/C was built in 1957. I spoke to pilot before we took off. He asked me to explain “Magic Box” GPS to him. It was 1000 feet VFR down the coast until he saw Accra, then he was happy because he knew where the airport was!

14 posted on 06/11/2007 5:58:00 PM PDT by MindBender26 (Having my own CAR-15 in Vietnam meant never having to say I was sorry......)
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To: Freeport

The AP doing its best to save the euros nightmare failure, called the 787 a frankenstein creation.


15 posted on 06/11/2007 6:00:13 PM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . Carbon positive.)
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To: Freeport

The AP doing its best to save the euros nightmare failure, called the 787 a frankenstein creation.


16 posted on 06/11/2007 6:00:19 PM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . Carbon positive.)
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To: Freeport

bump


17 posted on 06/11/2007 6:00:28 PM PDT by VOA
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