16-06-2009 Last Airbus A350 XWB CFRP demonstrator fuselage shell delivered

The complex shells will be certified for the A350 XWB program together with the CFRP barrel. In addition to the structural test, this project serves to bring the production processes and the staff qualifications to industrial maturity. Innovative technology, proved skills and know-how are key to successful production of the fuselage sections at Premium AEROTEC
for this new Airbus program.

The delivery of this fourth and last type of CFRP fuselage shell demonstrators marks the repeated validation of the complete production chain for the manufacturing of segments and their assembly at the Premium AEROTEC plant at Nordenham, which includes the manufacture of the carbon-fibre-reinforced outer skin on the fibre placement system, the integration of the omega stringers, curing in autoclaves, reprofiling and quality assurance using ultrasonic testing.

Major progress in assembly has been achieved by this delivery, in particular with the integration of the door frame structure, in terms of tolerance management and proof that the production chain can be automated, which allows the CFRP fuselage structures to be produced at the required cost level.

Premium AEROTEC has more than 6,000 employees and expects to generate revenues of about one billion Euros for 2009. Premium AEROTEC’s core business is the development and manufacturing of metal and carbon composite aerostructures and the corresponding production systems. The company has plants in Augsburg, Nordenham and Varel.