Company

March 6, 2013

Electroimpact Fiber Placement Featured in Aerospace Engineering

An article based off Guy Faubion and Todd Rudberg's SAE International paper was featured in Aerospace Engineering Online. The article summarizes many of the difficulties involved with high speed carbon fiber tape layup and highlights some of the ways in which Electroimpact has overcome those hurdles.

March 5, 2013

Donation to UW SAE Car Program

Electroimpact engineer Sean Foley hands a $10,000 contribution to ME Department chair Per Reinhall for the SAE Car project. Sean participated in the SAE car project in 2000/2001 and he has maintained close contact with the student group. Sean sees the SAE car project as the perfect environment for recruiting engineers to Electroimpact.

February 14, 2013

Electroimpact in the News

The January 2013 edition of Composites World highlighted the A400M CAWDE drilling machine and its role in drilling out 95 percent of the 12,000 holes in the A400M wing pair. With a combination of machine and hand drilling the wings are completed in 8 days.

December 12, 2012

Composites World Highlights Integration of AFP and LASERGUIDE

In an attempt to improve the speed and efficiency of automated fiber placement Electoimpact has developed a new machine cell with Assembly Guidance's LASERGUIDE laser projection fully integrated.

"A key result of the integration is that LASERGUIDE projectors can promptly identify any course at any time. Rudberg explains that previous systems would have to be stopped immediately when a course was flagged for inspection or correction, or the operator would have to undertake the tedious and time consuming task of manually identifying the course after the ply was completed. The operator of the new integrated system, by contrast, can select the course he or she wants to see, and LASERGUIDE automatically projects that course's centerline or boundary."

Read more about the LASERGUIDE integration at Compoistes World

December 4, 2012

Flex Track Success on the 777 Production Line

Flex Track was featured in a Boeing Frontiers article highlighting the benefits the 777 production line mechanics have experienced. Since implementing the Flex Track systems on the 777 line they have seen increased production rates and hole accuracy:

"This more accurate, the quality is better, fewer chips and it is a lot better for the body"
Ryan Hoover, 777 production line mechanic

Read the full article and other news from Boeing in Frontiers Online Magazine - April Issue

November 19, 2012

Building B Nearly Complete

Construction is nearly complete after the laying of asphalt around the building during a brief break in the rainy weather. Check out the time lapse video of the entire construction process taken from the fourth floor of Building A. There is still some work to be done on the conference rooms and contractor offices before construction can be deemed complete.

November 7, 2012

Finishing Touches Coming Together

Updates on Buildng B include the installation of heaters in time for the coming cold, first set of stairs have been erected on the north end of the conference rooms, concrete has been poured around the major loading areas, and the first section of asphalt was put down today. Check out current pictures of the building in the Building B Gallery

October 11, 2012

EI Campus Update

Electroimpact has acquired a new building located across the street from Building A at 4408 Chennault Beach Road. Current plans include moving electrical to the first bay nearest the road and to move robot production and testing to the far end of the building after slight renovation. Check out pictures of Building F as well as the rest of the campus.

Building B is nearing completion with the installation of permanent power and as well as other utilities being laid in the next two weeks. With the roof in place project assembly has already begun inside aided by the newly installed lighting.

September 20, 2012

Early Move-In Begins in Building B

With three and half walls up and a roof above their heads machine assembly has begun inside Building B. An estimation for the completion of the building has been put at four weeks. The South wall is ready for siding to be installed and the North wall has approximately half the foam up. Door hardware is in place in most of the doorways. Check out the most recent pictures in the Building B Gallery.

August 31, 2012

Updates on Building B Progress and New Building

Construction on Building B has continued at a steady pace with the the roofing installation starting earlier this week. After a slight delay, the first crane was lifted into place yesterday with the second crane going up today. With the frames on the rails, the next step will be installing the lifts, testing, and then commission.

On the 24th of August, Electroimpact acquired Building F (formerly Tyee) at 4408 Chennault Beach Road. The building will be used as storage and for production and testing of mobile robots.

August 22, 2012

Crane Installation

Installation of Building B's two cranes has started with the delivery of the first crane parts this week. The cranes will span the width of the building (104 feet) and have a capacity of 40 metric tons each. Both cranes should up and running soon with pictures of the install to follow.

August 6, 2012

First A350 XWB Wing Box Structural Assembly Complete

Airbus has completed the first structural assembly for the A350 XWB wing box with the help of Electroimpact supplied jigs. Read the Airbus press release for more details on the A350 XWB.

August 1, 2012

Building B Progress Updates

Construction on Building B is continuing at a steady pace and is on track to be finshed September 1st. The support structure has been assembled and the first wall panel installed. Cranes will be installed mid August with the roof to follow shortly after. The conference room and customer offices can bee seen on the Eastside of the building.

June 29, 2012

Building B Structural Construction Begins

Construction of the walls for Building B began on Friday the 29th. By the end of the day beams for the two main walls had been erected with the roof soon to follow. With the current progress we are hoping the building will be completed around September 1st.

Checkout updated pictures of the progress at the Building B Gallery

June 11, 2012

Second Concrete Pour Complete, Structural Assembly Begins

The final pour of concrete was completed on the 11th of June. The pour took approximately 14 hours and consisted of 2,300 cubic yards of concrete, bringing the total amount of concrete in the foundation to 4,600 cubic yards poured around 264 tons of rebar. With the foundation complete construction on the structure can begin.

Check out time-lapse video of both pours and a updated pictures in the gallery.

May 19, 2012

First of Two Concrete Pours Completed: The Big Pour

The first concrete pour for the new building was completed on Saturday. Pouring began at 4:50am and ended at 2:30pm. Approximately 2,103 cubic yards of cement were poured from 210 truck loads. There were 26 trucks in operation throughout the day supplying 3 different pumper trucks for coninuous pouring. The second pour is scheduled to happen on our around June 2nd, weather permitting.

April 10, 2012

Construction on Building B Begins

Construction on the new building began at the beginning of April and is set to be completed this summer. Check back periodically for more information and progress pictures.

December 22, 2011

18th Annual Mac-Dillow-Dean Memorial Christmas Breakfast

Electroimpact held the 18th Annual Mac-Dillow-Deans Memorial Christmas Breakfast at the RoseHill Community Center on the 22nd of December to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends. The Mac-Dillow-Deans breakfast was started by Murray "Mac" McLendon in the early years of Electroimpact and was made mandatory by being cooked in the middle of the shop floor. In his memory the tradition continues. In addition to the large amounts of food, Santa pictures, and the presidential speech, a fashion show was put on to display the many styles represented at EI.

November 18, 2011

Boeing 737 Production Ramped up with Help from Electroimpact

Boeing has received their largest 737 order ever requiring them to push production levels to the limits. Amongst many time saving methods is Electroimpact's ASAT 3 machine used for wing spar assembly. With help from the ASAT 3 riveting machine Boeing has increased plane production from 31.5 planes a month to 35 and aims to increase production to 42 planes a by 2014.

You can see the ASAT 3 machine at work in King 5's clip on 737 production.

November 17, 2011

Aurora Invests in Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) Technology

"After an extensive evaluation of potential suppliers, Aurora selected Electroimpact of Mukilteo, Washington to develop a "state of the art" AFP machine for delivery next year. Electroimpact is a leading supplier of automation equipment to the worldwide aerospace industry. Electroimpact has pioneered the development of modular, detachable AFP heads which permit flexibility in the manufacturing process."

Read the full article at Marketwire
Aurora Flight Sciences

November 15, 2011

787 Side-of-Body Fitting Automatically Drilled

For the first time, the 787 side-of-body fitting was automatically drilled using Electroimpact mobile drilling machines.

View gallery of 787 Side-of-Body drilling machine

October 18, 2011

NPOESS Preparatory Project Satellite Scheduled to Launch Oct. 27

Electroimpact's ground support equipment was used to deliver NASA's first National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) satellite. NASA is planning on an October 27th launch of the first satellite in the NPOESS project that will be used to measure both long term global climate change and short term weather variables used to improve weather forecasts. The NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) will be the first mission in the project and will use five instruments to record data on the state of the ozone layer, land cover, atmospheric temperatures, and ice cover amongst other things. You can read more about the program here: NPOESS Preparatory Project

September 13, 2011

Assembly Tooling Delivered to Boeing Aerostructures Australia

Electroimpact delivered the first set of tools to be used by Boeing Aerostructures Australia (BAA) in their new training center. The training center was developed to give new productin employees first hand expierence on assembly quality tools, such as the one pictured below, using full size parts before working on actual production parts. Employees will train in assembly techniques used to meet the high standards of the Aerospace industry.

Replica 787 Aileron tooling to be used by BAA Training Center

July 25, 2011

Electroimpact provides KHI 787 Section 43 Fuselage program with Riveter #2

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has completed a fuselage barrel with their Electroimpact provided second fastening cell for the 787 program. This augments the original machine (in production since December 2006) as KHI plans to ramp up production on their 787 line in Nagoya, Japan.

July 14, 2011

Electroimpact Celebrates 25th Anniversary

"Most of the company’s 390 Mukilteo workers gathered in one of the company’s cavernous assembly areas, eating barbecue and beans, and listening to jazz from a three-piece ensemble."

May 30, 2011

Electroimpact UK LTD Headquarters gets facility upgrade

On April 20, 2011, Electroimpact purchased a 5 acre property in Hawarden, UK to be remodeled as the new Electroimpact UK Ltd. headquarters. Construction enhancements will continue until October 3, 2011, the projected full occupancy date. Electroimpact Technology Park is in close proximity to Airbus UK, Broughton; one of Electroimpact’s largest customers. The new facility will expand Electroimpact’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the UK, helping to fortify a global presence in the aerospace industry. Airbus UK can be seen in the background of the photo below.

April 4, 2011

Electroimpact Receives United Way's Best New Campaign Award

Electroimpact proudly received United Way of Snohomish County's 2010 "Best New Campaign" award on March 10th, 2011. This award was received by Peter Zieve, President of Electroimpact, at United Way's Community Caring Celebration, see the link to the Everett Herald article dated 21 March.

Sited at as a major reason for the award was the innovative fundraising campaign that had the company donate $35 for every employee th-at volunteered in the community. Peter Zieve also donated $35 dollars for every employee that pledged an amount to United Was during 2011. 51 pledges and our 25 volunteers resulted in a corporate "match" of $2,660. In all, Electroimpact and its employers raised $17, 319 for the United Way of Snohomish County.

Sam Smith, a Project Engineer at Electroimpact Inc. in Mukilteo, was chairman of his company's effort. The aircraft assembly equipment manufacturer contributed to United Way years ago, but hadn't in years. "I am most proud of our 25 community volunteers, who take their time to make our local community a better place for everyone." With so many affected by the troubled economy, Smith said it was time to give. "I'm hoping to build on it," Smith said. "The company has its feet on the ground. We can look outward, rather than just provide jobs for people."

For more information, please contact Sam Smith sams@electroimpact.com

Peter Zieve (center), President of Electroimpact, receives the award from Penney Coyne (right of center), Donor Relations Director, and Dennis Smith (left), Executive Vice-president and Interim President of UWSC. Sam Smith (left of center), is Electroimpact's campaign chairman.

August 26, 2010

Electroimpact was featured in a Story by the Everett Herald

Link to story: "Mukilteo factory is the jet builders' builder"

June 2, 2010

Electroimpact is pleased to announce a contract with Boeing Charleston to supply automated drilling equipment for the fuselage of the 787.

Electroimpact is pleased to announce a contract with Boeing Charleston to supply automated drilling equipment for the fuselage of the 787. The contract includes two types of drilling equipment - Flextrack and post-mill machines. Advanced functionality will be provided including high performance drilling, automatic inspection and fastening to help boost the output of the cell.

March 9, 2010

Electroimpact to supply Bobardier Aerospace, Belfast with assembly jigs and equipment for new CSeries aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast has awarded Electroimpact a contract for the supply of assembly jigs and equipment to support production of the advanced composite wings for Bombardier’s new CSeries commercial aircraft. Bombardier’s Belfast facility is responsible for the development, manufacture and assembly of the wings for the CSeries aircraft, which is aimed at the 100- to 149-seat market.

Electroimpact now joins Bombardier’s other US suppliers on the CSeries aircraft program. The multi-year contract, valued in the region of US$60 million, includes all tooling and automation equipment for the wing torque box assembly. Electroimpact will design and provide the machinery, assembly jigs and associated tooling, including state-of-the art processes for the wing torque box assembly such as precision-guided drilling, inspection and fastening technology. Electroimpact will also be responsible for the installation and commissioning of the equipment at Bombardier’s new composite wing production facility in Belfast.

November 5, 2009

Electroimpact was featured in a King 5 TV News Story

April 1, 2009

Electroimpact announces move into new World Headquarters building

Electroimpact proudly announces that we have moved into our new World Headquarters at 4413 Chennault Beach Rd. Mukilteo, WA 98275.

Electroimpact custom built a 65,000 square foot building to replace its former headquarters and moved in March 2009. At 52 feet high, the Assembly Facility has a single 55' x 250' machine assembly area, with a 5 foot thick slab section for final machine approval testing. The building has two 32 ton cranes, each with a hook height of 41'. On one side of the building there is a four story office and conference center with the first floor holding the machine shop and shipping/receiving area.

January 23, 2009

Electroimpact featured in the Puget Sound Business Journal

"A visit to Electroimpact Inc. might brighten the outlook of even the most despondent observer about the state of American manufacturing. The Mukilteo-based manufacturer of tooling and equipment for assembling large commercial aircraft is bulging with contracts, machines are being prepared for delivery, and people are assembling those machines."

January 8, 2009

Electroimpact Awarded A350 Outer Wing Box Contract

Electroimpact is pleased to announce it was awarded the contract for the A350 Outer Wing Box in late 2008. This project confirms Electroimpact’s global position as the supplier of choice for cost effective automated assembly solutions for large aircraft parts. Installation is scheduled to begin in Broughton, UK in 2009 and production is scheduled to begin in 2010.

January 8, 2009

Electroimpact Awarded Contract by Spirit Aerospace for Automated Fiber Placement Machine

Electroimpact is pleased to announce the order placement by Spirit Aerosystems of a Production System consisting of 1 initial machine equipped with Modular AFP heads that will be used for production of the A350 fuselage, sect 15, panel layup. System delivery is for 2010 and is to be installed in a new facility being built in North Carolina by Spirit.

January 8, 2009

Electroimpact Awarded Contract to Update A320 E4000 Wing Panel Machine

Electroimpact is pleased to announce the order placement by Airbus for the refurbishment and technology update of the A320 E4000 Wing Panel Machine. Work to take place in 2009.

April 22, 2008

Electroimpact featured in US Industries Today article "Electroimpact High Flying"

"Born from an engineering doctorate project, Electroimpact has emerged as a leading light in the aircraft industry, supplying machine tooling products and integrated systems for global aerospace heavyweights. The Washington-headquartered organization’s success is due, in large part, to a unique business model, Dan Harvey reports."

April 22, 2008

Electroimpact featured in SAE International article "New rivet injector design used by Electroimpact for Airbus wing work"

"The SA2 machine is the latest in the Low Voltage Electromagnet Riveter (LVER) family of automated fastening equipment from Electroimpact, and it is being used on the Airbus A320 aircraft."

April 22, 2008

Electroimpact featured in SME Manufacturing Engineering article "Automating Composites Fabrication"

"It's no secret that the demand for composites is increasing. In aerospace, demand is increasing exponentially. The Boeing 787 and Airbus 350 XWB will be in excess of 50% composite by weight, according to Chris Red, editor and VP of market research for Composite Market Reports (Gilbert, AZ). By 2010, new regional and large commercial air transports will consume 12,500,000 lb (5,675,000 kg) of composites per year."

April 11, 2008

Electroimpact featured in Puget Sound Business Journal article "Orders Flow Despite Boeing Defeat"

"Boeing employees and local politicians may be upset at the loss of a huge Air Force tanker contract Feb. 29. But not most local aerospace suppliers.

Parts makers say they're so sated with work on other Boeing jets, and will be for so many years to come, that they will hardly notice the absence of the 767 tanker. In fact it's almost impossible to find anyone who anticipates much tangible loss."

March 13, 2008

Hawker de Havilland Places Order with Electroimpact for 787 trailing edge component manufacturing equipment

Electroimpact is pleased to announce the receipt of order from Hawker de Havilland for 787 trailing edge component manufacturing equipment. This equipment will be used to meet the ramp up requirements for the 787 progam. The order includes tooling and an additional seven robotic drilling systems, bringing the total to tweleve robotic systems in support of the 787 program.

March 13, 2008

Electroimpact featured in SAE publication "Aerospace engineering & manufacturing"

"It takes someone with a large supply of natural engineering ability to crack the employee lineup at Electroimpact, a company that swings for the fences in its design, production and installation of custom-designed auotmated fastening equipment for aerospace customers."

February 12, 2008

Electroimpact Receives Permit for new Building

Electroimpact is pleased to announce another major step forward in the construction of our new office and assembly building, “Lowbay2”; a perimt to build. At 15,000 square feet, Lowbay2 will provide a new buyoff area, a Union PCR1500plus CNC Horizontal boring mill with 5 axis capability and a 14meter x 6 meter x 1.5 meter cutting envelope (45.9 ft x 19.7 ft x 4.9 ft), and help to consolidate the Electroimpact campus for increased communications between engineers. DKS has been contracted for the construction of our new building.

September 26, 2007

Mukilteo Marine release is celebrated at Electroimpact

Out of jail, Marine is cheered in Mukilteo

150 greet man convicted in Iraqi's death
By Jim Haley, Herald Writer
MUKILTEO — Robert Pennington and his father, Terry Pennington, ascended a pair of tall stepladders in place along a wall of the Electroimpact company. continue reading the rest of the article . . .

Local Marine convicted in murder of Iraqi civilian shares story

By KOMO Staff A local Marine who pleaded guilty to taking part in the kidnapping and the gruesome killing of Iraqi civilian says the crime was "a bad mistake in a bad situation." continue reading the rest of the article . . .

August 10, 2007

XAC places order with Electroimpact for new LVER machine and fixtures

Electroimpact is pleased to announce the order placement by Xi'an Aircraft Corporation of a new custom Automated Fastening machine and 4 fixtures for the new ARJ21 Chinese regional jet.

August 9, 2007

Spirit places order with Electroimpact for gantry style AFP System

Electroimpact is pleased to announce the order placement by Spirit Aerosystems of a Automated Fiber Placement low rail gantry cell production system. The system will be a highly flexible cell suitable for contoured wing parts (panels, spars), flat parts or full fuselage barrels. System delivery is for end of 2009.

July 20, 2007

Vought places order with Electroimpact for 2 LVER machines and assembly fixtures

Electroimpact is pleased to announce the order placement by Vought Aircraft Industries for 2 LVER Automated Fastening machines for use on commercial jet upper panel wing assemblies.

February 19, 2007

Boeing places order with Electroimpact for 6 FlexTrack Drilling systems

January 15, 2007

Boeing places order with Electroimpact for 1 FlexTrack Drilling system

January 15, 2007

Single Aisle 2 (SA2) LVER enters production

Electroimpact is pleased to announce the fastest riveting machine in the aerospace industry, the SA2, has entered production.

November 29, 2006

Spirit places order with Electroimpact for next generation Automatic Fiber Placement System

Electroimpact is pleased to announce the order placement by Spirit Aerosystems of a Production System consisting of 2 machines equipped with (3) 1/2" x 16 tow Modular AFP heads and (2) 1/4" x 16 tow Modular AFP heads. The system will be used for high rate production of the fuselage of a commercial jet due to fly in 2008. System delivery is for end of 2008. The programming system will be VERICUT Composite Programming and Simulation Suite provided by CGTech.