[mrerick]

Yesterday, I was invited to join a group visiting the General Electric Jet Engine final assembly plant here in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Being generally interested in machining, metals, technology and the way technical things work, I jumped at the chance. Needless to say, I'm very impressed with both the product and the people behind it.

GE makes many engines in this plant. They range from the smaller ones used in Boeing 737 jet airplanes to the giant GENX engines used in the new Boeing 787. They are also working on a new one called "LEAP" which is a massive fuel efficient engine being made in partnership with a French firm.

Unfortunately (due to security) no pictures...

Some of the highlights:

• They are making use of some amazing new materials in these engines. Carbon fiber materials and exotic alloy based metals.
• To ensure fit and centering, parts are sometimes designed to be fitted after cooling with liquid nitrogen! It ensures precision centering
• These giant engines are manufactured at better than 1/10,000th of an inch precision
• Processes are being innovated as fast at the materials technology. This includes the tooling
• The workers own the quality of their product, which is tracked from the day it is parted into assembly trays to the day it comes out of service

Next time I'll fly, it will be with a new appreciation for these people and the work they do...