GE Aviation has started production of wing-fixed trailing edge components for Airbus A350-1000 aircraft at its machining facility in Hamble-le-Rice, UK.
The company secured a contract for the components from Airbus in November 2008. The contract is said to be the largest-of-its kind for GE Aviation Aerostructures business in its history.
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GE Aviation is manufacturing a spoiler hinge bracket at the Hamble plant.
Under the contract, GE will design and build more than 3,000 components for each of the A350-1000 and A350-900 airliners, including machined parts, structural composite panels and assemblies.
GE Aviation said: "The A350-1000’s strengthened, higher performance wing will experience additional loads in flight, necessitating a high level of technical change and integration to the GE Aviation, Hamble-supplied wing-fixed trailing edge package.
"It also involved coordination throughout the supply chain, and with the A350 XWB engineering plateau established by Airbus at its Filton, UK, facility to ensure close and timely collaboration with other risk-sharing partners and agreement on all technical interface requirements."
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By GlobalDataTo facilitate the A350 XWB engineering activities and production volume, GE Aviation, Hamble is investing $50m in a composites production centre, which will also support the company’s future manufacturing and new technology developments.
The facility will include 9,000m² composite centre which is scheduled to commence operations in mid-2015.
It will house a clean room, two autoclaves and four large curing ovens for out-of-autoclave composites production, five-axis machine tools, testing facilities and offices.
Image: Airbus A350-1000 airliner. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.
