Boeing drops automation system used to build 777 jets

Boeing drops automation system used to build 777 jets

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BoeingCohas abandoned a keyautomationsystemusedto make fuselage sections for its777jetliners amid reports of reliability issues, and will instead partially switch back to mechanics, the planemaker said on Thursday.

The company began tobuild777fuselages in 2015 in an upright orientation, with robots drilling holes and installing fasteners, an initiative known as fuselage automated uprightbuild(FAUB).

The world's biggest planemaker said it had stopped using thesystemwhich, according to industry sources, causedproblems with reliability and rework issues.

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Boeinghad faced delays last year when the FAUB machine was tried out on existing versions of the777.

Instead, the company will switch to "flex tracks" - an automated method to drill the holes along the circumference of the airplane that are then fastened manually.

Thesystemwas developed byBoeingCommercial Airplanes and has been tested in commercial and defence programs, company spokesman Paul Bergman said in an emailed statement.

Implementation of flex tracks for the777fuselages began in the second quarter andBoeingexpects the transition to be completed by the year-end, Bergman said.

There are no planned changes in total staffing and the company continues to implement roboticsystems on areas such as wing manufacturing for the777X.

The setback highlights continuing pressure on the company's management at a time it is trying to obtain approval to return its grounded 737 MAX jetliner to service before the end of this year.

The change in production strategy for the777was reported earlier by Bloomberg.