Mitsubishi purchases second round of Flow waterjets to cut wing structures
for major commercial aircraft composite airframe manufacturer
KENT, Wash., Nov. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Flow International
Corporation (Nasdaq: FLOW), the world's leading developer and manufacturer
of industrial waterjet machines used for cutting and cleaning applications
around the world, today announced that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)
has awarded the company a second round multi-million dollar contract -- to
supply MHI with Flow's Composite Waterjet machine tool to cut the carbon
fiber wing components for a major commercial jet aircraft program.
Flow's Composite Waterjet machining system for the precision machining
of carbon fiber composite stringers will measure 80 ft. long. It will be
utilized for cutting the composite stringers, which are part of the
composite wing structure. As a result of breakthrough development work, it
will be equipped with multiple patent-pending "side-fire" nozzles. The
system will be built and tested in Jeffersonville, Ind., one of Flow's six
worldwide manufacturing plants. The UHP pumps that provide the
ultrahigh-pressure water will be made at the Kent, Wash. headquarters.
"The second round award of Flow's commercial wing structure machining
system proves the effectiveness of Flow's waterjet technology and its
ability to create 'state of the art' aircraft parts in a cost-effective
manner," said Charley Brown, Flow's President and Chief Executive Officer.
Traditionally, conventional cutting tools -- handheld diamond or
carbide- tipped routers, bandsaws, cutoff saws and abrasive wheels -- were
used to cut composites. However, due to the composition and fiber
orientation of advanced composites, these traditional cutting tools can
damage the composites either by over heating, or by leaving frayed or
delaminated edges. Frequent delamination and fraying requires costly
rework.
Waterjets eliminate cutting problems associated with advanced aerospace
composites because abrasive waterjets cut by erosive action rather than
friction and shearing. To cut carbon composite aircraft parts, a thin
stream of water moving at three times the speed of sound is emitted from a
tiny, jeweled orifice in the tool head of Flow's machine. The one
gallon-per-minute water flow draws in a separate stream of fine garnet
particles that slice into the surface being cut. They produce exceptional
edge quality, free of frayed or delaminated areas, which minimizes costly
secondary finishing. Waterjets' low operating temperature doesn't affect
the material being cut. Furthermore, because waterjets exert far less
lateral force on the material than conventional machines, tooling and
fixturing requirements are simpler and less expensive.
Flow waterjets have been used to increase productivity at leading
aerospace companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Rockwell, Teledyne Ryan,
General Dynamics, Lockheed, Raytheon, Bell Helicopter, Northrop and other
firms that provide composite machining services.
About Flow International
Flow International Corporation is the world's leading developer and
manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet cutting technology to
industries including automotive, aerospace, job shop, surface preparation,
and more. For more information, visit http://www.flowcorp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to
future events or future financial performance that involve risks and
uncertainties. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate,"
variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking
statements but their absence does not mean that the statement is not
forward-looking. These statements are only predictions and actual results
could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements based on
a number of risk factors, including those set forth in the April 30, 2007,
Flow International Corporation Form 10-K Report filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this press release
include, without limitation, statements regarding the system's expected
configuration and use. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this
announcement.
Contact: Flow Investor Relations
253-813-3286
SOURCE Flow International Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.flowcorp.com
CONTACT:
Flow Investor Relations, +1-253-813-3286
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