Inside the Boeing Factory

[Logan]

Best thread in a long, long time.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by LawrenceMD

NYC skyscrapers are weird because the city is so cramped with them you don't even realize you're standing at the foot of the empire state or chrysler building. Then when you see them from places like soho they actually look really stumpy. chicago on the other hand... when you are at the willis/sears tower or hancock you can feel the epicness.

The Empire State is

in terms of looks, I merely marvel at the engineering involved in doing all the math by hand. The Chrysler building on the other hand looks amazing, especially when you see its glimmering top shining on a sunny day.

 

[Mr Herbert]

whilst not taking away from the impressiveness of engineering before computers, alot of designs contained huge amounts of conservatism.

the really impressive engineering done these days is when that conservatism is shaved right back using complicated modelling to create very cost effective and efficient designs.

 

[Andrewc2232]

That's very true--before computer modelling a lot of stuff was hugely overdesigned. Plus, previous engineering successes can always be used as a starting point for the designs to follow. But even considering that, some of the stuff we as a species have done over the years is still totally unbelievable to me.

The dawn of flight at the turn of the century to the Blackbird just five decades later?

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by Andrewc2232

That's very true--before computer modelling a lot of stuff was hugely overdesigned. Plus, previous engineering successes can always be used as a starting point for the designs to follow. But even considering that, some of the stuff we as a species have done over the years is still totally unbelievable to me.

The dawn of flight at the turn of the century to the Blackbird just five decades later?

First airplane flight: December 17, 1903.

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird: First flight: 22 December 1964

61 ≠ five decades.

 

[yjeezle]

that's so crazy... we have an airline repair factory near me and you can see that thing for 10 miles... it's huge. i can only immagine how big an actual plant is

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by imageWIS

First airplane flight: December 17, 1903. Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird: First flight: 22 December 1964 61 ≠ five decades.
True, but to be fair, the Oxcart project which ultimately culminated in the Blackbird was started in 1957. Anyway, it always blows my mind that they made those planes back then. It still seems like science fiction. Also, going through 13 major design iterations in 7 years is mind-blowing compared to the super-bloated schedules and budgets we have today. --Andre

 

[Pilot]

What I always think of is that is the first SR-71 test flight was in the early 60s, what type of crazy **** do we have flying around now that no one knows about?

There is a (I believe) PBS documentary about the latest joint strike fighter where the US gov gives Boeing and Lockheed 1bn apiece to build 2 aircraft. very fascinating documentary. Shows you how complex building an aircraft from scratch is.

 

[cptjeff]

Originally Posted by imageWIS

The Empire State is

in terms of looks, I merely marvel at the engineering involved in doing all the math by hand. The Chrysler building on the other hand looks amazing, especially when you see its glimmering top shining on a sunny day.

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but doing the math for a skyscraper built like either the Empire state building or the Chrysler building isn't all that impressive. They're not very complicated in terms of structural design, basically big tall steel beams with cross beams. The numbers involved are big, but the calculations aren't complicated. It's really just basic statics. Determining material requirements is pretty introductory in an engineering curriculum too.

Not to mention the factor of safety- usually pretty high in civil engineering projects, and undoubtedly higher back then.

Modern skyscrapers have gotten very, very complicated with all sorts of bells and whistles, but the empire state building and such really wouldn't have been all that difficult to design. You take previous skyscraper designs, scale them up, and adjust the size of the steel beams as appropriate.


Now planes- a little different. The Blackbird is absolutely nuts. Critical moving parts (elevators don't count) make things much more difficult. Weight matters, airflow matters, and thanks to the speed that thing travels at, thermal expansion of your parts matters. Simply insane what went into that plane.

Oh, another engineering tidbit: modern jet engines run at temperatures higher than the melting points of many of their main components, but the parts are grooved and airflow channeled so that while the engine is running hot enough to melt everything in it, the parts are being instantaneously cooled by the airflow.

I tried to be an aeronautical engineer. I learned enough to know where my knowledge stops before flipping majors. There's some pretty damn impressive stuff out there, but you have to remember it's more about incremental progress than great leaps forward.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by cptjeff

[D]oing the math for a skyscraper built like either the Empire state building or the Chrysler building isn't all that impressive.
Agreed.

 

[aleksandr]

Back on topic - I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but -http://www.smh.com.au/travel/inside-boeings-dream-factory-20110606-1fowe.html

Oh and the timelapse video on the construction of the 777-300ER is pretty cool too

 

[mr.orange]

When I grow up I want to be an engineer.

 

[Mr Herbert]

Originally Posted by mr.orange

When I grow up I want to be an engineer.
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[RSS]

Originally Posted by .George

Oh come now...

Well, without the aid of a calculator ... it's impressive.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by mr.orange

When I grow up I want ...