Boeing Confronts Challenges of 777 Automation Push | Aviation International News

Boeing Confronts Challenges of 777 Automation Push

Company says delays in transition to FAUB won’t threaten 777X EIS schedule, however

A 777 aft fuselage sits in cradles as a robot stands ready to drill and fasten panel sections in the FAUB bay at Boeing's Everett, Washington, final assembly plant. (Photo: Boeing)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

July 5, 2016

While Boeing continues to express confidence in its ability to smoothly manage the transition between the current-generation 777 and the new 777X, one of the keys to its success hangs on preparation for a new automation process that has proved every bit the challenge some had anticipated. In fact, while speaking with a group of reporters recently BCA vice president of 777 and 777X operations Jason Clark characterized the learning process associated with the move to a fuselage automated upright build, or FAUB, as “really hard.”

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