Jamesbuk From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 3968 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 1574 times:
how do they move the planes as it wouldnt have the wheels on through all of the assembly and the tug would be under stress to move slowly as of cooling reasons
You cant have your cake and eat it... What the hells the point in having it then!!!
Dan2002 From United States of America, joined Dec 2002, 2055 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 1567 times:
WindowSeat From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1307 posts, RR: 59 Reply 4, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 1542 times:
I have been on the floor of the 737 assembly and can tell you that it is quite amazing to watch these birds on the assembly line. There are these pit stops that every plane makes (rather stations) where important work is carried out. Each section has its own boss and they ensure all the work is done before the aircraft moves out of their area. There are also these color coded light bulbs at each station which are lit if there is a fault. Different colours signify if it is something that needs prompt attention or something that will stop the assembly line. The engineers work on the mezzanine level and are very close to the production. The communication flow is handled through a series of monitors which will tell you if a particular task is completed before the aircraft moves on.
I must say it is extremely fascinating to watch! The most remarkable thing I thought was that I had expected these very high tech robots and machines to be doing precision work. While there are some, most of it looks like a decked up and a little more advanced car shop. A lot of work is still done manually (with the help of advanced machines of course), but the first impression is that this is not an excessively robotic assembly line
cheers
I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with keyboards.
DfwRevolution From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1519 times:
Quoting WindowSeat (Reply 4): I have been on the floor of the 737 assembly and can tell you that it is quite amazing to watch these birds on the assembly line.
The "Move to The Lake" is really one of the cooler things Boeing has done in recent history. In addition to improving the quality control of the 737NG, which plauged the line early on, it has brought cultural changes that are really unparalleled in the industry.
From what I've heard, it feels more like a cross of clean-room and office building than it does manufacturing plant. I envy your trip !!
WindowSeat From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1307 posts, RR: 59 Reply 6, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1514 times:
Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 5): From what I've heard, it feels more like a cross of clean-room and office building than it does manufacturing plant. I envy your trip !!
Yes it did quite feel that way.
We were a lucky group of 20 people who got our own personal tour thanks to someone at Boeing! It was a great trip in which we also got to spend over an hour in the 7E7 interior mockup!
cheers
I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with keyboards.
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58 Reply 7, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1503 times:
Quoting WindowSeat (Reply 6): We were a lucky group of 20 people who got our own personal tour thanks to someone at Boeing! It was a great trip in which we also got to spend over an hour in the 7E7 interior mockup!
Can An Individual get an Invite to such Tours by Boeing or Airbus.
regds
MEL
WindowSeat From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1307 posts, RR: 59 Reply 8, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 1480 times:
Unfortunately not. We had an inside source who kindly arranged them for us. We are all indebted to him forever! Chance of a lifetime. Of course we had to go through background and security checks and all. They are very strict about it.
cheers
I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with keyboards.
Jetlagged From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 2452 posts, RR: 17 Reply 9, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 1472 times:
I don't know about the Renton site, but Boeing Everett (747, 767 and 777 production) has a visitor centre and anyone can turn up and book a tour for the same day. Well worth it if you're in the area.
The glass isn't half empty, or half full, it's twice as big as it needs to be.
WindowSeat From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1307 posts, RR: 59 Reply 10, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1453 times:
Quoting Jetlagged (Reply 9): I don't know about the Renton site, but Boeing Everett (747, 767 and 777 production) has a visitor centre and anyone can turn up and book a tour for the same day. Well worth it if you're in the area.
Yes the Everett facility had the tour, but you get nowhere close to the action. After practically being in the mechanics toolboxes on the floor at Renton, the Everett tour was not quite as fascinating. We also got to see the wings being made for the last 757. The rivetting machine for the wings is freaking loud!
cheers
I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with keyboards.
Jetlagged From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 2452 posts, RR: 17 Reply 11, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1446 times:
Well it has to be arranged for public safety. I've also been on private tours of aircraft and engine factories and you certainly do get a much closer view of it all.
That's not to say the Everett tour is a waste of time. Just seeing huge airliners in various states of assembly, even if nothing actually appears to be going on, is awesome. The shear scale of the building is impressive in itself. Also you get a flightline tour as a bonus.
In many ways the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field is more interesting, especially from a historical point of view, and you can get closer to the flying there too, if that's your interest.
The glass isn't half empty, or half full, it's twice as big as it needs to be.
Sonic67 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 290 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1361 times:
The 747 is also built on a moving ssy line. Their are lines on the floor to indicate at what point the jet should be during assembly. I guess this not as big of a deal because their only few built a year.
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