Boeing begins assembling first 737 MAX

Boeing employees begin assembling first 737 MAX in its Renton facility.

(Photo by Boeing)

Boeing has started building the first 737 MAX aircraft on schedule in its Renton, Washington, facility.
 
Last week, employees started to assemble the wings for the first 737 MAX flight test aircraft. Wings are the first 737 components to be assembled in the Renton production process.

Boeing 737 MAX VP and GM Keith Leverkuhn said, “Achieving this milestone on schedule is a testament to the success of the 737 and our integrated design and build team.”

According to Boeing, machine operators loaded 737 MAX wing skin panels and stringers into the new panel assembly line that uses automation to drill holes and install fasteners in the upper and lower wing panels. Mechanics also loaded the initial parts of the first 737 MAX spars—internal support structures in wings—into automated spar assembly machines.

The unfinished skins, stringers and spars were machined by Boeing Fabrication Skin and Spar in Auburn and Fredrickson, Washington. When finished, the panels and spars will be transformed into completed wings.

Boeing said in a statement that the wings will be attached to the first 737 MAX fuselage on the new Central line in Renton Final Assembly later this year.

The new production line will allow the team to isolate the first 737 MAX build from the rest of production in order to learn and perfect the build process while the Renton factory continues to build at a rate of 42 airplanes a month.

To date, Boeing said the 737 MAX has 2,720 orders from 57 customers.

(Linda Blachly - ATWOnline News)