Cryogenic Machining of 787 Fuselage
Starting early next year, Boeing South Carolina will mill and drill composite fuselage sections for the 787 Dreamliner through cryogenic machining.
Share
At one of the newest Boeing manufacturing locations, a new machining technology will be used to process a new choice of material within a new aircraft. Starting early next year, Boeing South Carolina will mill and drill composite fuselage sections for the through cryogenic machining.
The technology was developed by Mag. This company’s six-axis FTR AutoDrill (pictured) will perform the machining. Cryogenic machining involves delivering liquid nitrogen cooled to –321°F through the tool. The fluid absorbs heat from the machining process, resulting in extended tool life, reduced material adhesion, and the chance for increased cutting speed, not to mention chips that are both dry and cool. Because only a low flow rate of liquid nitrogen is needed, Mag’s formal name for the technology is “MQC,” or Minimum Quantity Cryogenic.
To hear about the latest in cryogenic machining, come to Chicago in September. The 3TRAM aerospace manufacturing conference at will include a presentation from Mag called “Cryogenic Super Cooling for Aerospace Machining.”
Related Content
-
Quick-Change Tool Heads Reduce Setup on Swiss-Type Turning Centers
This new quick-change tooling system enables shops to get more production from their Swiss turning centers through reduced tool setup time and matches the performance of a solid tool.
-
Custom Workholding Principles to Live By
Workholding solutions can take on infinite forms and all would be correct to some degree. Follow these tips to help optimize custom workholding solutions.
-
Toolpath Improves Chip Management for Swiss-Type Lathes
This simple change to a Swiss-type turning machine’s toolpath can dramatically improve its ability to manage chips.
