In Boeing’s streamlined production method, engineers would rely on a wide range of ice-like shapes designed to adhere to airfoil surfaces with adhesives instead of bolts. Not only would this create a firmer hold on the wings, but it also ensures that the wings are left undamaged after the test flight. Engineers can also switch around various ice models rapidly if necessary. Engineers can just assign various properties, such as density, rigidity and texture, to a computer-assisted design (CAD) file and print the final model.

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