Boeing 787 certification hinged on molding technology

August 25, 2011

Puget Sound Business Journal – Boeing’s new 787, which is expected to be certified for delivery Friday, might have never been completed in its current form without a unique collaboration at the University of Washington Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials in Transport Aircraft Structures.

The key innovation that the UW center supported was a way to make “compression molded” parts from carbon fiber composites for small parts. The method was far cheaper than the regular process of layering long carbon fibers used for air frame components such as hull and wing.

Sen. Maria Cantwell today visited facilities of the UW center in Seattle to talk with people leading the composites training and development effort there. She said when she returns to Capitol Hill in the fall, she’ll make it a priority to make sure the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill passes Congress and that it contains funding for the UW center.

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