Airbus - Stringer Manufacture (1982 onwards) (1)

The Chadderton Factory made Stringers for the A300, A310, A320, A330 and A340 variant aircraft. There were two distinct types, the top lighter component and the lower heavier item. Both items required a flat end piece for attachment and part number specific shaping and twisting along its length.

When the Stringer raw material arrived at the Chadderton factory, the first machine process was to receive an initial cut in order to create a flat and consistent base prior to attachment to a 3-Axis CNC Max-E-Trace Sculpture Milling Machine.

This process was called "Slabbing" and was done on a Stringer Slabbing Machine.

(Monochrome Photograph - Top Left showing)
Typical Airbus Wing Structure Breakdown

(Colour Photograph - Bottom Left)
Stringer Slabbing Machine obtained from Asquith Machine Tools of Yorkshire.

(Colour Photograph - Bottom Middle)
"Bottom" Stringer (thicker section) having received an initial cut.

(Colour Photograph - Bottom Right)
Slabbed "Top" (on Right) and heavier "Bottom" (on Left) Stringers awaiting a vacant machine.