Spirit AeroSystems acquires equipment in Mexico to set up a machining center

24 July, 2017

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Large aero structures and components manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems announced it has created a 3- and 4-axis machining center of excellence (COE) at its McAlester, Oklahoma, facility in addition to creating a 5-axis machining COE at its headquarters in Wichita, Kansas.

The 5-axis COE at Wichita will specialize in large, complex aluminum and titanium parts for fuselage, pylon, and wing structures for commercial and military aircraft. It also will include expanded chemical processing capabilities for parts finishing and corrosion protection.

Spirit, already one of the world's largest fabricators of aerospace parts, has invested more than US$ 30 million in the Wichita 5-axis COE, which now includes 120 machine tools. The Wichita center is to be fully operational later this year.

"We continue to invest in fabrication capabilities, and these expansions will help us better compete globally and remain leaders in the industry," said Spirit Senior Vice President of Operations Ron Rabe.

The McAlester COE will specialize in small- to medium-sized parts fabrication work in aerostructures. It also is expected to be fully operational later this year. More than 1,000 unique parts are in process of being scheduled for production.

The purchase and installation of new equipment in McAlester includes 18 new machines purchased from a fabrication shop in Juarez, Mexico.

"The McAlester center of excellence solidifies Spirit as a world leader in the fabrication of detailed parts for the aerospace industry," said Spirit President & CEO Tom Gentile. "Spirit has decades of experience doing this type of work for use internally. Now we can deliver that expertise to other customers around the globe."

Spirit's Oklahoma operations include facilities in McAlester and Tulsa. Spirit's total fabrication capability spans more than 2.6 million square feet and produces more than 38,000 parts daily.

MexicoNow

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