Key Takeaways
- GKN Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney collaborate on additive manufacturing for the F135 engine
- The partnership aims to deliver certified parts by 2028 using GKN's Direct Energy Deposition (DED) process
- The project involves the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) and seeks to enhance Norway's additive manufacturing capabilities
- The F135 engine powers the F-35 Lightning II and has faced quality issues, making this collaboration crucial for its development
Introduction to Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace
The aerospace industry has been increasingly adopting additive manufacturing (AM) to produce complex components with improved efficiency and reduced production time. GKN Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney have recently announced a collaboration to utilize AM for the F135 engine, which powers the F-35 Lightning II. This partnership is significant, as the F135 engine has faced various quality issues, including cracked blades, incorrect titanium usage, micro cracking, and fires.
GKN Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney Collaboration
The two companies have signed a Technology Development Agreement to develop an AM demonstrator and deliver certified parts by 2028. They will work together with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) to enhance Norway's AM capacity and knowledge. GKN Aerospace will utilize its own DED process, which has been under development since 2017 through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORN).
Comparison of Additive Manufacturing Processes
| Process | Description | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| DED | Direct Energy Deposition, a process that uses a focused beam of energy to melt and deposit metal onto a substrate | High deposition rates, ability to produce complex geometries |
| LPBF | Laser Powder Bed Fusion, a process that uses a laser to melt and fuse metal powder in a powder bed | High accuracy, ability to produce complex geometries with high surface finish |
| SLM | Selective Laser Melting, a process that uses a laser to melt and fuse metal powder in a powder bed | High accuracy, ability to produce complex geometries with high surface finish |
Benefits of Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace
The use of AM in aerospace offers several benefits, including:
- Reduced production time and cost
- Increased complexity and customization of components
- Improved material properties and performance
- Enhanced supply chain efficiency and reduced lead times
Bottom Line
The collaboration between GKN Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney on additive manufacturing for the F135 engine is a significant development in the aerospace industry. With the goal of delivering certified parts by 2028, this partnership has the potential to enhance the efficiency and quality of the F135 engine production. By leveraging GKN's DED process and working with the NDMA, this project can also contribute to the growth of Norway's AM capabilities. As the aerospace industry continues to adopt AM, we can expect to see further innovations and improvements in the production of complex components.