How Boeing Builds a 737 Plane in Just 9 Days | On Location

Summary

Boeing's Renton plant is the world's most productive airplane factory, assembling the 737 in various configurations. Each aircraft takes nine days to complete, beginning with a hollow fuselage transported from Wichita. The process involves meticulous internal installations, wing and tail assembly, and extensive functional tests. By the end of day nine, customers conduct a final inspection before the aircraft undergoes ground tests and its first flight. This efficient production line highlights Boeing's commitment to quality and innovation in aerospace manufacturing.

Takeaways

• ✈️ Boeing's Renton plant is recognized as the most productive airplane factory in the world, specifically for the 737 model.
• 📅 The production line is capable of assembling 42 planes each month, with each aircraft taking nine days to complete.
• 🏗️ The manufacturing process begins with a hollow fuselage built in Wichita, Kansas, which is transported to Renton by train.
• 🔧 Days one to three are dedicated to installing internal systems such as plumbing, electrical wiring, and insulation.
• 🛩️ On day four, the wings and vertical fin are attached to the fuselage, marking the transformation into a plane.
• ⚙️ Day five focuses on installing the horizontal stabilizer and starting functional tests for flight control systems.
• 🔌 By day six, the aircraft is powered on, allowing for critical tests like landing gear retraction checks.
• 🌍 On day seven, engines are mounted to the wings, with their respective wiring and systems being checked.
• 🛠️ Day eight involves rigorous testing of flight control surfaces and ensuring all cockpit systems work together effectively.
• 🔍 On day nine, a walk-through inspection is conducted for the customer before the plane is towed for ground tests and first flight.

Q & A

What is the primary product manufactured at Boeing's Renton plant?

The Renton plant primarily manufactures the Boeing 737 aircraft in various configurations.

How many planes does Boeing aim to build each month at the Renton facility?

Boeing aims to build 42 planes per month at the Renton facility.

What is the duration of the assembly process for a 737 aircraft?

The assembly process for a 737 aircraft takes nine days.

What significant components are installed during the first three days of assembly?

During the first three days, engineers install the plumbing, electrics, and insulation within the fuselage.

What happens on the fourth day of the assembly process?

On the fourth day, the wings and the vertical fin (tail) are attached to the fuselage.

What is tested on day six of the assembly process?

On day six, large-scale tests are conducted to check whether the landing gear retracts properly and to ensure power is supplied to the airplane.

What critical assembly tasks occur on day seven?

On day seven, the plane's weight is set on its wheels, and the engines are attached to the wings, along with their network of wires, cables, and tubes.

What is the purpose of the tests conducted on day eight?

Day eight is dedicated to testing the flight control surfaces and the cockpit, ensuring all components work together correctly after being tested in isolation.

What happens during the customer inspection on day nine?

On day nine, the customer conducts a walk-through inspection of the completed aircraft before it is towed out of the factory.

What are the next steps for the aircraft after it leaves the assembly line?

After leaving the assembly line, the aircraft goes to Renton field for ground tests of the engines and other systems before its first flight.