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CLOSE TIES DELIVER INNOVATIVE MACHINING SOLUTIONS
A series of innovative machining solutions for the new generation of aerospace materials are the latest rewards to be reaped from the long-established relationship between Messier-Dowty, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of aircraft landing gear systems, and ATI Stellram.
The solution provider for difficult-to-machine materials have shared their extensive cutting tool know-how as part of a research programme by Messier-Dowty to evaluate the use of new metals, in particular, titanium-based alloys such as ATI 5553™ for Boeing.
ATI Stellram were chosen to collaborate on the special project in which their mission critical metallics team were challenged to identify a range of strategies for producing high-performance machining solutions.
“In order to expand the use of titanium in our landing gear components in place of high strength 300M steel, it was crucial for us to learn more about these new, complex materials and their machining characteristics,” explained Philip Spiers, manufacturing development manager at Messier-Dowty’s UK facility in Gloucester, England.
“Our decision to work with ATI Stellram on this undertaking was influenced by our long-standing relationship, which now spans more than 20 years, as well as by their vast experience in the field of difficult-to-machine materials,” he added.
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ATI Stellram’s ability to draw upon the capabilities of sister companies such as ATI Allvac, ATI Allegheny Ludlum and ATI Wah Chang, the specialty metal producers, brought even more benefits to the project, said Philip.
Among the series of new solutions, devised by the ATI Stellram team headed by global aerospace manager John Palmer, was the introduction of the Stellram® 5230VS chevron long edge milling cutter comprising 35 Stellram® X500 inserts.
The cutter is used to machine the external ring and internal counterbore of a truck beam, which forms part of the landing gear for the all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
“Machining this tubular component had previously been tricky due to the problem of vibration. However, the new Stellram tool is more stable and much smoother under cutting pressure, eliminating the harmonics that caused the vibrations,” commented John Palmer.
“This new chevron long edge cutter is specially designed for machining the new generation of materials, including titanium-based alloys, helping to deliver better levels of productivity and high metal removal rates,” he added.
The success of this solution has also prompted Messier-Dowty’s engineering team to investigate using the new tool in another location on the same component as well as for a profiling application on a steel part used on a different aircraft landing gear system.
Elsewhere in the aerospace sector, ATI Stellram are reporting strong demand for their custom design metal cutting tools from aircraft component makers in Europe. The company’s busy design and manufacturing teams in Germany, Switzerland and the UK have seen orders for special tooling solutions soar in the last 12 months. One of the biggest growth areas has been the development of dedicated tools for machining nickel and titanium alloys.
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The huge growth in demand for dedicated machining tools has also been reflected in ATI Stellram’s success at the Farnborough International Air Show. The company took a record number of sales enquiries with the Stellram® high feed 7792VX milling cutter and 4E turning geometry drawing the highest levels of interest from visitors.
More details on ATI Stellram’s solutions for difficult-to-machine materials are available online at www.atistellram.com or call Elena Gandiglio on 00 41 22 354 9711, email egandiglio@atiep.com
Note to editors:
ATI Stellram is one of several business units of ATI Engineered Products of the ATI group of companies. ATI is a leading producer of specialty metals including titanium and titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys and superalloys, and stainless steel and specialty alloys. ATI Stellram has manufacturing facilities in the United States, United Kingdom and Switzerland, with 9 sales offices around the world and a product distribution network covering 40 countries.
Messier-Dowty, a SAFRAN group company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of landing gear systems. Messier-Dowty landing gear are in service on more than 19,500 aircraft making over 35,000 landings every day. The company supplies 33 airframe manufacturers and supports 2,000 operators of large commercial aircraft, regional and business aircraft, military aircraft and helicopters. Messier-Dowty is also the majority shareholder of the worldwide MRO network, Messier Services. Messier-Dowty and Messier Services together have 4,300 employees across sites in Europe, North America and Asia, and posted consolidated sales of 826 million euros in 2007.