GKN highlights innovations within new facility at FIA 2014
Above: GKN Aerospace engineer inspects a section of a composite wing spar for the A350 XWB .
Among the items on display will be: the state of the art turbine rear frame for the GEnx engine; a section of the all-composite rear wing spar for the A350 XWB; the recently completed STeM advanced winglet demonstrator; the elegant cockpit canopy for the F-35 Lightning II and the large, ultra high performance passenger cabin window on the Boeing 787; examples of additive manufactured structures and titanium engine components; new optical ice detection sensors alongside established electro-thermal ice protection technology.
Marcus Bryson, CEO, GKN Aerospace and Land Systems states: “Our new display at Farnborough International is a tangible and powerful demonstration of our world class engineering, impressive range of differentiating technologies and proven ability to effectively insert cutting edge technology into real airframe programmes. This drives both our own growth and the success of our customers’ airframes and aero-engines. We look forward to showing you around the display in the new pavilion.”
Engineers from GKN Aerospace will also be discussing developments in a series of open lectures in the Innovation Zone* each day. Topics will be as follows:
Monday: Additive manufacture - Process optimisation and qualification - its role in design
Tuesday: Technology and innovation for the future of composites manufacture
Wednesday:Fan and turbine engine structures - Enabling today’s and tomorrow’s propulsion
Thursday: Technology - leading the way toward more efficient aircraft
Today GKN Aerospace’s annual sales top $3.5 billion. The company operates from 32 manufacturing sites across nine countries, employs 11,700 people and is a market leader in aerostructures, engine structures, transparencies and fuel systems.
In the past 12 months GKN Aerospace has gained new business worth over $1bn, continued integration of its market-leading engine systems business (now 50% of the business), opened a new advanced engineering centre in India and four new additive manufacturing technology centres in Europe and the US. It has also opened a new assembly facility in Phoenix, Arizona alongside Honeywell’s manufacturing operation, whilst developing recently opened manufacturing plants in South Carolina, Mexico and Alabama.
