ISMR September 2023 | Page 20

INDUSTRY NEWS

AM pre-production Cell 3 for GKN Aerospace

GKN Aerospace recently announced the commissioning of “ the world ’ s largest known laser directed energy deposition additive manufacturing ( AM ) cell ” as part of its new Global Technology Centre in Texas , USA . Cell 3 is the next step in pushing the boundaries of large-scale additive manufacturing of titanium aircraft structures through the process of laser metal deposition with wire ( LMD-w ).
Shawn Black , GKN Aerospace ’ s President of Defence , said : “ Cell 3 will create opportunities to deliver a whole new level of additively manufactured titanium components to sizes needed for safetycritical air and space structures . We are very excited to bring this new equipment to our current line of product development LMD-w cells in the United States . This will accelerate the introduction of our technology into production while helping to support the U . S . supply chain and reducing reliance on foreignsourced materials .”
Black continued : “ LMD-w is a gamechanger and a more sustainable alternative for production in a wide range of civil and defence structures . The method has
Above : GKN Aerospace Additive Manufacturing Cell 3 . Right : GKN Aerospace ’ s new Global Technology
Centre in Fort Worth , Texas ( USA ).
shown its proficiencies in producing components faster and with significantly reduced lead times . We also look forward to expanding this technology ’ s role in sustainability and efficiencies through additional collaborations with customers and universities .”
GKN Aerospace has been involved with LMD-w technology for two decades , beginning with its aero-engine systems business . In 2022 , it unveiled a 2.5-metre milestone titanium structure developed in Cell 2 . The new cell will enable the development of five-metre titanium components using the LMD-w process .
GKN Aerospace ’ s Cell 3 features includes a 20kW laser ; up to 10 axes of motion ; a large-area inert environment ; 5.6m x 2.5m max . substrate size and two-sided or rotary deposition . GKN Aerospace already has additive manufacturing components flying on several different major platforms across the commercial , military , rotorcraft , business jet and space markets . Future collaborations of AM for large-scale aerostructures will include process improvement ; modelling & simulation ; non-destructive evaluation methods ; in-situ monitoring and the transition of technology development into production solutions . n
www . gknaerospace . com

Don ’ t miss Metal Expo 2023 Schuler ’ s Hessdorf

The fifth edition of Metal Expo 2023 will be held from 27-30 September 2023 at the site turns 60

Istanbul Expo Centre in Turkey . Focusing on
Hermann Schleicher was a pioneer of
the metals industry , and particularly iron and
pneumatic gripper feed technology . He died in
steel innovations , it spans three halls and
2005 after starting his own business 60 years
16,000 square metres .
ago in a small garage in Erlangen ( Germany )
“ Metal Expo brings together well-known
and founding the machine factory named after
names in the industry and construction
him . In 1990 , his company joined Schuler and ,
sectors , serving as a major meeting point .
today , transfer systems for presses as well
It is an ideal platform to explore the latest
as coil lines and laser blanking lines , are still
developments and
being produced at the Louis-Schuler-Strasse
innovations in the sector ,
in the industry
in Heßdorf . Around 250 employees celebrated
establish connections with
and environmental
the milestone 60th birthday of their site with
leading suppliers and forge
transformation ,
a big party on 30 June 2023 and ceremony for
collaborations . Industry
focusing on
long service on the previous evening .
leaders will showcase
decarbonisation
“ Schuler can look back on a long tradition
the latest iron and steel
and low carbon
in Heßdorf ,” said Frank Klingemann , managing
products and technologies ;
consumption .
director of the Industry Division . “ The coil
organise business tours
“ Metal Expo
lines , transfers and blanking lines also continue
and share valuable insights ,” the show
hosted more than 10,000 domestic and
to provide our customers around the world
organiser , Sky Trade Fairs , told ISMR .
international visitors ( from 62 countries ) in
with increased output , efficiency and flexibility .”
Metal Expo also offers a conference
2022 . Turkey ’ s Deputy Minister of Industry
Schuler offers customised technology in all
programme featuring panels , seminars and
and Technology , Hasan Büyükdede , visited
areas of forming ( from the networked press
special presentations . As part of the trade
the exhibition and chatted with participants .
to press shop planning ). Founded in 1839
fair , a metal workshop will be held on 28
Visitors from 54 provinces in Turkey also
at its headquarters in Göppingen , Germany ,
September 2023 , bringing together the
spent time at the show ,” concluded Sky Trade
Schuler has approximately 5,000 employees
Turkish steel industry and manufacturing
Fairs . n
at production sites in Europe , China and the
sectors . It will highlight topics such as
Americas , and service companies in more
increased value-added production ; localisation
www . metalexpo . com . tr
than 40 countries . n
20 | ismr . net | ISMR September 2023