Comment Re:Largest operative Airplane is not USA-made (Score 1) 184
For high tolerance work, automated equipment is key to production speed. But these aren't really production machines in the traditional sense - they're all low volume, and likely customized for each buyer. That means hand work.
Even automated equipment makes mistakes. When it comes to final fit ups in very robust, complicated machinery like they're taking about here, there will be hand work on even mass produced parts. Screws, bolts, actuators, etc.
Lots of assemblies get shimmed.
Tolerance stack up is an everyday problem when you have a couple hundred to a million components. Doesn't matter if your business produces hundreds of units a year, or one unit every two years. Little amounts add up to significant offsets.