GKN Aerospace has delivered the first production examples of an entirely new process for creating complex curved titanium structures. The delta pressure forming process is now being used to make the advanced cone-shaped titanium exhaust systems for the Boeing 747-800 airliner. The unit is lighter and more durable.
The process will also provide an effective method to create the complex shapes required for extremely rugged items such as engine inlet lips and inner barrels, thrust reverser inner fixed structures and exhaust nozzles and plugs. It has been developed by GKN’s operation in Santa Ana, California.
GKN’s proprietary resistance welded and diffusion bonded “Soundwich” technology produces flat panels of titanium honeycomb sandwich with excellent noise suppression qualities. These panels are then formed to the shape of the final product using the company’s drape creep forming technique.
