Join us for an inspiring session showcasing the transformative power of collaboration and innovation in advancing UK Titanium Manufacturing and shaping the future of aerospace manufacturing.
SDE Technology is leading an initiative to develop a new superplastic forming process, with the new hybrid manufacturing method potentially boosting manufacturing efficiency and capability in the UK for key aerospace components, that global manufacturers’ use in aircraft production.
The project forms part of the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) and is supported by the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Group – operated by the University of Strathclyde and part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC). Boeing and Timet UK are industry collaborators, supporting the project with technical and business activities.
Superplastic forming is a near net shape manufacturing method for producing thin-sheet metallic components and is typically used to create complex-shaped titanium parts used by the aerospace sector.
The new hybrid technique is estimated to shorten the forming cycle time by over 50% and cut the manufacturing cost by as much as 25%, when compared with traditional superplastic forming. Applying this process will enable SDE Technology to enter the aerospace market, strengthening the UK supply chain in high-value manufacturing of titanium parts.
