KENT, Wash., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Flow International
Corporation (Nasdaq: FLOW), the world's leading developer and manufacturer of
ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) waterjet technology, today announced it has been
awarded a multi-million dollar contract to manufacture and install a multi-
axis Composite Machining Center (CMC), abrasive waterjet and routing machine
tool system for Airbus UK's use on the recently launched Airbus A350 program.
Airbus UK's Filton plant will use the new Flow waterjet system to machine
composite wing structures for the A350 when the system is delivered in around
12 months. Within Airbus, the UK is responsible for design and manufacture of
the wings and fuel systems -- a role it will continue to play in the all-new
Airbus A350 aircraft, of which approximately 60 percent will be comprised of
advanced materials.
The use of waterjet cutting of composite materials provides many distinct
benefits. Waterjets are a clean non-contact cutting and trimming technology
that allows the use of flexible, programmable tooling, in lieu of expensive
hard tooling for each individual part. As a result, this system dramatically
reduces set up time and saves money. Waterjets eliminate the potential for
the delamination of composite materials, which can occur with conventional
cutting techniques.
Flow and other partners of Airbus funded development of the CMC waterjet
machining center. Composites were used initially in developing stealth
aircraft, but are now realizing wide-scale commercialization in the aircraft
industry. The result of these efforts has produced composite machining systems
such as the Flow CMC system for Airbus, with productivity levels significantly
higher than conventional methods and even higher gains in quality.
About Flow International
Flow International Corporation is the world's leading developer and
manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet technology for cutting and
cleaning. Flow provides state-of-the-art ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) technology
to numerous industries including automotive, aerospace, job shop, surface
preparation, food and dozens more. For more information, visit
http://www.flowcorp.com.
ABOUT AIRBUS
Airbus is one of the world's leading commercial aircraft manufacturers.
Since its inception, it has been designing and manufacturing innovative
aircraft and has now delivered over 4,000 aircraft to around 250 operators
worldwide.
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to future
events or future financial performance that involves risks and uncertainties.
The words "proves," "potential," "believed," "possibly," or variation of such
words and 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 may differ materially from those
anticipated in these statements based on a number of risk factors, including
those set forth in the April 30, 2005 Flow International Corporation Form 10-
K/A Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking
statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements
regarding future use of the system, the future role of Airbus UK, and the
benefits of waterjet cutting of composite parts. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of
the date of this announcement.
Contact:
Stephen Light
President and CEO
Flow International Corporation
253-850-3500
slight@flowcorp.com
or
Michael Ruppenthal
Vice President Marketing and Product Management
Flow International Corporation
253-850-3500
mruppenthal@flowcorp.com
SOURCE Flow International Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.flowcorp.com
CONTACT:
Stephen Light, President and CEO,
+1-253-850-3500, slight@flowcorp.com, or Michael Ruppenthal, Vice
President Marketing and Product Management, +1-253-850-3500,
mruppenthal@flowcorp.com, both of Flow International Corporation
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