Robots cut rework, speed up Boeing 737 production

Published 12:56 pm Monday, June 20, 2016

Sometimes going faster means making fewer mistakes.

That’s Boeing’s approach with its new robotic systems for drilling holes in 737 wing spars at its Renton plant. The new Spar Assembly Line system is expected to significantly cut rework and generally speed the process as Boeing ramps its 737s production up to historically fast rates, Reuters reports.

The company produced 21 of the single-aisle airplanes a month in 2005. That went to 42 a month by 2014. Boeing plans to be at 47 a month in 2017 and 52 a month in 2018.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.