GKN Aerospace2014-10-15 05:37:18
GKN Aerospace showcases innovations at NBAA 2014
GKN Aerospace will promote its technological contribution to the business aviation sector at booth 2467 at NBAA, 21 - 23 October, 2013, in Orlando, Florida.
Featured will be an innovative winglet with a novel design that has been manufactured using the latest, developmental software tools and automated manufacturing methods. Using these techniques, the company has created a winglet that is lighter, has a lower parts count and uses 50% fewer fasteners than a traditional winglet - with each fastener taking 25% less time to insert. The company estimates that, were this winglet to enter series production today, whether for new or retrofit installation, the manufacturing cost could be 20% lower than for a typical winglet today.
Also on display will be an additively manufactured titanium Krueger rib, created as part of a developmental wing leading edge demonstrator programme for a future, ultra-high performance, natural laminar flow (NLF) wing. The Krueger rib mechanism will enable the NLF winged aircraft to land at low speeds. It's highly complex topology cannot be manufactured using traditional methods and has been produced in one piece using an additive process called electron beam melting (EBM).
A developmental wing leading edge slat will feature alongside the Krueger rib. This all-composite slat has a novel, bird strike proven, spar-less design with integrated ice detection and protection technology. It is manufactured as a single piece box structure and has a very low parts count to speed manufacture. The production process is also focused on high rate manufacture and has employed innovative techniques that to simplify and speed each stage.
Focusing on its current production items, a Learjet transparency and windows from Embraer aircraft will be displayed at the show. GKN Aerospace windows are standard fit on all Embraer aircraft and have been selected recently for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 long range business jets. The company's flight deck windows and glazings are best-in-class whilst the CrystalVue IIâ„¢ coating on the market-leading passenger cabin windows provides long term optical clarity and the longest on-wing life of any cabin window available today.
An electro thermal de-icing slat, cut away to show the layered construction, will be exhibited at the show. These slats are produced using a patented process which involves applying a unique Spraymat™ coating to the composite aircraft component. The resulting lightweight, rugged, ‘smart' structure can be linked to an electronic control system to provide highly effective, controllable and targeted ice protection for wings, engines and all areas of the platform affected by icing.
Manufacturing operations supplying the business aviation sector are supported by aftermarket services as well as focused research and development programmes. The company has an established OEM authorised facility which provides, as an example, servicing for the complete range of Honeywell TFE731 turbofan engines which equip aircraft such as the Bombardier Learjet, Dassault Falcon, Raytheon Hawker and Cessna Citation.
Kevin Cummings, Chief Executive, GKN Aerospace concludes: "Confidence is improving in this sector. There is continuing growth in markets such as Latin America and China - and in the larger end of the business jet market. Technologically, also, these are exciting times across aerospace with new, in some cases revolutionary, processes coming to the fore. GKN Aerospace is working in close partnership with both airframe and aero-engine manufacturers, exploring and progressing these innovations to extend the endurance, efficiency and performance of the new generation of business jets - and improve passenger comfort for future business aviation travellers."
GKN Aerospace will promote its technological contribution to the business aviation sector at booth 2467 at NBAA, 21 - 23 October, 2013, in Orlando, Florida.
Featured will be an innovative winglet with a novel design that has been manufactured using the latest, developmental software tools and automated manufacturing methods. Using these techniques, the company has created a winglet that is lighter, has a lower parts count and uses 50% fewer fasteners than a traditional winglet - with each fastener taking 25% less time to insert. The company estimates that, were this winglet to enter series production today, whether for new or retrofit installation, the manufacturing cost could be 20% lower than for a typical winglet today.
Also on display will be an additively manufactured titanium Krueger rib, created as part of a developmental wing leading edge demonstrator programme for a future, ultra-high performance, natural laminar flow (NLF) wing. The Krueger rib mechanism will enable the NLF winged aircraft to land at low speeds. It's highly complex topology cannot be manufactured using traditional methods and has been produced in one piece using an additive process called electron beam melting (EBM).
A developmental wing leading edge slat will feature alongside the Krueger rib. This all-composite slat has a novel, bird strike proven, spar-less design with integrated ice detection and protection technology. It is manufactured as a single piece box structure and has a very low parts count to speed manufacture. The production process is also focused on high rate manufacture and has employed innovative techniques that to simplify and speed each stage.
Focusing on its current production items, a Learjet transparency and windows from Embraer aircraft will be displayed at the show. GKN Aerospace windows are standard fit on all Embraer aircraft and have been selected recently for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 long range business jets. The company's flight deck windows and glazings are best-in-class whilst the CrystalVue IIâ„¢ coating on the market-leading passenger cabin windows provides long term optical clarity and the longest on-wing life of any cabin window available today.
An electro thermal de-icing slat, cut away to show the layered construction, will be exhibited at the show. These slats are produced using a patented process which involves applying a unique Spraymat™ coating to the composite aircraft component. The resulting lightweight, rugged, ‘smart' structure can be linked to an electronic control system to provide highly effective, controllable and targeted ice protection for wings, engines and all areas of the platform affected by icing.
Manufacturing operations supplying the business aviation sector are supported by aftermarket services as well as focused research and development programmes. The company has an established OEM authorised facility which provides, as an example, servicing for the complete range of Honeywell TFE731 turbofan engines which equip aircraft such as the Bombardier Learjet, Dassault Falcon, Raytheon Hawker and Cessna Citation.
Kevin Cummings, Chief Executive, GKN Aerospace concludes: "Confidence is improving in this sector. There is continuing growth in markets such as Latin America and China - and in the larger end of the business jet market. Technologically, also, these are exciting times across aerospace with new, in some cases revolutionary, processes coming to the fore. GKN Aerospace is working in close partnership with both airframe and aero-engine manufacturers, exploring and progressing these innovations to extend the endurance, efficiency and performance of the new generation of business jets - and improve passenger comfort for future business aviation travellers."
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