AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

Canadian Centers of Excellence Established for Helicopter Airframe, Engine MRO Services

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An independent provider of engine and airframe services recently announced a 12-18 month company restructuring of its primary Canadian MRO facilities to create three different Centers of Excellence (COEs) specifically for supporting Helicopter Airframe/Component MRO services, Helicopter Engine MRO services and Turboprop Engine MRO services at facilities located in Langley, British Columbia; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Russell Ford, CEO of StandardAero

In addition, StandardAero intends to wind down its operations at its Richmond, B.C. facility by June of 2019 as part of the restructuring plans. Helicopter engine MRO services currently performed at Richmond will be relocated to StandardAero’s Winnipeg facility, including all Safran Arriel 1&2, Rolls-Royce M250, GE T700 and Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6T helicopter engine MRO services. Winnipeg will serve as the company’s COE for all Helicopter Engine MRO services. Helicopter dynamic components, currently located in Richmond, will be relocated to the company’s Langley facility which will serve as the COE for Helicopter Airframes/Component MRO services moving forward.

In order to accommodate all of the helicopter engine MRO capabilities in Winnipeg, StandardAero is moving its Winnipeg P&WC PW100 MRO engine services and as well as the existing P&WC PT6A work to its facility in Summerside – which will become the company’s COE for Turboprop Engine MRO.

“Over the past several months, our team has been working carefully to drive integration activities and program management to combine our legacy StandardAero and Vector Aerospace facilities,” said Russell Ford, CEO of StandardAero. “A big part of our overall acquisition strategy is to ensure we establish these Centers of Excellence (COEs) and combine or consolidate relevant engine platforms to eliminate duplicate operations, while also freeing up capacity to accommodate our growth programs.”

StandardAero services include engine and airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications to a diverse array of customers in business and general aviation, airline, military, helicopter, components, and energy markets.

 

Photo credit: StandardAero

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Pioneer in Metallic 3D Printing in Aviation Acquires Airbus Spin-Off

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A German tier one supplier of metal components for Airbus aircraft recently acquired a 3D printing specialist which was founded as a spin-off of the Airbus Group.

APWORKS, located near Munich, Germany, was purchased from Airbus by Premium AEROTEC, which is located in Augsburg, Germany. This acquisition will allow APWORKS to focus on its objective to support clients in advancing in additive manufacturing-related areas, including prototyping, development, and distribution of the patented material Scalmalloy®, a high-strength aluminum alloy for additive manufacturing of components, and above all the development of qualified mass production applications.

Premium AEROTEC is a pioneer in the use of metallic 3D printing in aviation. As the first aviation supplier, the company has succeeded in integrating 3D printed titanium components into the aircraft structure.

“With the entry of Premium AEROTEC, we are taking a big step closer to our vision of industrial series production using AM technology,” said Joachim Zettler, managing director of APWORKS. “The goal is to combine APWORKS ‘highly dynamic approach to solving our customers’ AM issues with the decades of premium AEROTEC’s manufacturing experience to deliver the maximum value along the AM value chain to our customers across a broad range of industries.”

“Our investment creates a powerful link between Premium AEROTEC and APWORKS, which opens up all possibilities for additive manufacturing to current and future customers,” said Dr. Ing. Thomas Ehm, Chairman of the Board of Premium AEROTEC. “We want to actively promote APWORKS on its dynamic growth path. With our pioneering experience in metallic 3D printing and proven aerospace quality standards, we are the industrial reference for APWORKS ‘innovative ideas. ”

Through the merger of the two companies Premium AEROTEC and APWORKS, customers have access to currently eleven plants with a wide variety of materials, as well as the entire value-added chain for the reworking of components.

 

Photo Caption: Dr. Ing. Thomas Ehm, Chairman of Premium Aerotec’s Board of Directors, welcomes Joachim Zettler, CEO of APWorks, as a representative of the entire APWorks team. (L to R: Klaus-Peter Willsch MdB, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group Aerospace in the German Bundestag, Dr. Ing. Thomas Ehm, Franz-Josef Pschierer, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs and Joachim Zettler)

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Aircraft Gearbox Manufacturer Expansion Includes Heat Treatment

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A commercial and military aircraft gearbox manufacturer recently completed a 24,000 sq.ft. expansion at its site in Windsor, Connecticut, including vacuum carburized and hardened heat treatment capabilities, super finishing, balancing, and non-destructive testing.

Aero Gear, a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of gears and gearbox assemblies for the aerospace industry, specializes in fixed and rotary wing aircraft, utilizing a proprietary Flow Line concept based on providing the best quality, shortest lead time, and reasonable cost by eliminating waste. The majority of the Lean Flow processing is conducted within a modern, climate controlled 69,000 sq.ft. facility; the new space will have a total of 100,000 sq.ft. with 175 employees, plus provide a lobby, conference room, offices, and manufacturing space for several new programs.

Doug Rose, founder of Aero Gear. (Photo Credit: Jim Michaud / Journal Inquirer)
“In trying to meet the increased orders from our customers, it became obvious that additional people and machines were necessary, and the only way to accommodate this was through enlarging our physical space,” said Doug Rose, founder of Aero Gear. “Although we have clients around the world, the expansion demonstrates that we are committed to the long-haul in Connecticut.”

Rose points to the simultaneous growth of the commercial and military defense industries and their need for assembled gearboxes as an impetus for increased production. The power drive gear systems that Aero Gear makes for fixed and rotary wing aircraft require the highest quality precision engineering and manufacturing.

Aero Gear also is creating skilled employees through its training program. The company actively works with state community colleges to customize a curriculum to put graduates in the field immediately after graduation.

“Our goal is to utilize knowledge-based expertise to practical benefit so as masters of our trade, we are able to offer superior product development and support service whether for gearbox assemblies or individual gears,” said Rose. “This is an unprecedented era of growth for our industry and we are incredibly proud to be a key contributor.”

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Materials Testing Lab to Open in Shanghai to Serve Aerospace Industries in China, Asia Pacific

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A world-class materials testing lab based in China will open as a joint venture between a leading advanced composites manufacturer headquartered in Connecticut and a Chinese technology-led aircraft and aerospace engine parts and components integrated manufacturer and service provider.

The Shanghai Future Aerospace Hexcel Commercial Composite Testing enterprise was formed by Hexcel Corporation and Future Aerospace to offer testing services to commercial aerospace industries in China and Asia Pacific.

Thierry Merlot, Hexcel president, Aerospace – Europe, Middle East and Asia

This new facility, located in Lingang, an area of Shanghai, will provide China with an aerospace standard material test laboratory to ease material qualification and support certification for new programs. Expected activities at the site include the testing of composite laminate specimens, material qualifications, and support for customers’ supply chains in China. Future Aerospace brings its expertise in heat treating, metallic manufacturing, composites forming, and surface treatment. Hexcel develops lightweight, high-performance structural materials for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications.

“I am delighted that we are joining with Future Aerospace to establish this world-class composite materials testing facility in China. This investment is in response to local customer demand and demonstrates our commitment to support the commercial aerospace industry’s growing use of composite materials in China,” said Thierry Merlot, Hexcel president, Aerospace – Europe, Middle East and Asia.

“We are pleased to partner with Hexcel. The collaboration enables Future Aerospace and Hexcel to play a key role in supporting the development and implementation of composite material applications in commercial aerospace industries in China for both Chinese and global aerospace customers,” said Han Hua, chairman, Future Aerospace.

Operations at the new site are expected to begin in September 2018 and will include the manufacture of composite coupons for mechanical testing, building on the work that Hexcel already carries out for the aerospace industry at facilities in Europe and the U.S. with expertise in structural composite testing and qualifications.

Photo credit: Stock photo

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Nevada Heat Treater Adds Aerospace Accredited Aluminum Capabilities

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A full-service heat treating company serving a broad range of industries recently announced the capability to offer aerospace accredited aluminum heat treating.

Nevada Heat Treating (NHT), baesd in Carson City, Nevada, added a drop bottom furnace to its thermal processing lines to treat aerospace and commercial jobs to the latest AMS aluminum heat treating specifications. The aluminum drop bottom furnace is certified as a Class 2 furnace, meeting AMS2750 standards, and is equipped with multiple state-of-the-art quenching systems for the needs of a broad range of industries including aerospace, semiconductor, military, nuclear, and machine shops.

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French, Russian Framework Agreement to Re-Engine Fire-Fighting Aircraft

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A French tier 1 aerospace and defense supplier recently signed a framework agreement with a Russian aircraft engine manufacturer to re-engine a groundbreaking, multi-role fire-fighting aircraft, with mission capabilities including maritime surveillance, wildfire-fighting, passenger transport and humanitarian relief.

Safran Aircraft Engines of France and UEC Saturn of Russia signed the agreement concerning a re-engined version of the Beriev Be-200 fire-fighting aircraft using the SaM146 engine. The SaM146 turbofan engine was developed and is produced by the two aero-engine manufacturers through their 50/50 joint company, PowerJet.

The Beriev Be-200 is the first aircraft of this type to be fitted with two jet engines located over the wings to reduce the risks of water projection.

“We are delighted to contribute to this project, clearly reflecting our ongoing commitment to bolstering collaboration with the Russian aviation industry, a collaboration that started some twenty years ago,” said Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines. “Safran Aircraft Engines produces the SaM146 core, and this engine symbolizes the full value of our industrial partnership, one that we are very pleased to further develop with this new agreement on the Beriev Be-200.”

“This partnership is a new opportunity to develop our synergies with Safran Aircraft Engines,” said Alexander Artyukhov, Director General of UEC. “Along with our French partner, we have defined a very clear roadmap, allowing us to start the development of a new version of the SaM146 that will meet the requirements of the Beriev-200.”

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Feasibility Studies for Aerospace Applications Should Review Heat Treatment

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Source: Precipart

 

When designing for manufacturability (DFM) for aerospace applications, should a design team commission a comprehensive feasibility study? In this article from Precipart, which designs and manufactures high precision custom gears and mechanical components for the medical technology, aerospace and industrial sectors, read about application-specific requirements, concerns with production tooling, and tolerance of materials for post-fabrication processes, including heat treatment:

  • key specifications of a gear or motion control system
  • potential design issues that may occur throughout the life of a device; for example, how heat treatment, among other post-fabrication processes,
  • recommendations to address performance issues in various environments and conditions

Read more: “What Are the Benefits of an Aerospace Gear Feasibility Study?”

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UK Heat Treater Joins Trade Mission to Poland to Explore Aerospace Options

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Source: BQLive.com

 

A group of aerospace firms or suppliers from the UK’s Midlands, including a heat treating company, recently traveled to Rzeszow, Poland, which has the largest aerospace cluster within the country, on a trade mission to tour local factories and explore potential partnerships.

 

Read more: “First Joint Aerospace Sector Trade Mission Visits Poland”

Photo credit: Express.com

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Global Aerospace Manufacturer Contracts with Aircraft Components Supplier

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Boeing 787 Dreamliner

A global aerospace company that provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers and defense and space agencies worldwide recently announced that a number of major contract extensions and new awards have been made by world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems.

Magellan Aerospace, based in Toronto, Ontario, reported that multi-year contract renewals were agreed to for the manufacture of titanium wing fittings for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the detail manufacture and assembly of the tanker door for the Boeing 767-2C aircraft. In addition, Magellan was also awarded a new multi-year contract to manufacture winglet components for the Boeing 737 MAX.

The components and assemblies associated with these multiple contracts will be delivered from Magellan’s facilities in New York, New York, and Middletown, Ohio.

Haydn Martin, vice president New Business Development for Magellan

“These awards reflect Magellan’s commitment to continue to provide value solutions to Boeing in meeting their market challenges. Magellan will continue to innovate and optimize its performance to meet the expectations of Boeing and our customer base,” said Haydn Martin, vice president New Business Development for Magellan.

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Heat Treatment Processes Vary for Alloy Type, End Use

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Source: AVWeb

 

Here’s a great article by Bob Hadley at AVWeb that explains the differences between aluminum alloys and how heat treating can make a crucial difference in the final properties.

Aluminum is usually marked by the manufacturer to indicate the alloy and temper. The markings may also include the lot number and the born-on date. (PC and caption: AVWeb)

An excerpt: 

“Heat treatment can dramatically alter the working characteristics of an alloy. 6061 is a great example. In the non-heat-treated state (6061-TO), it is quite bendable. But it is so soft, if you try to machine it, it will gum up the gullets of your saw and clog the flutes of your drill bits and end mills. It’s like trying to drill taffy. But when heat-treated to T4 or higher (such as 6061-T6 or 6061-T651…T651 being T6 temper plus stress-relived), it responds fine to any machining operation.”

Plus more, including

  • the range of temper/heat-treat designations denoting the specific process used to treat the material
  • the higher the number of alloy doesn’t necessarily indicate a stronger and harder alloy
  • which aluminum stock ought to be considered “mystery” material

Whether the OEM manufactures truck frames, aircraft components, or soda cans, applying the right heat treatment process to the right alloy produces the just the right weldability, machinability, and bendability.

 

Read more: “Home Shop Machinist: Material Matters—Aluminum”

Photo credit: Ichudov – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

 

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