Spirit AeroSystems Brings Breakthrough Titanium Fabrication Technology to Factory

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Jun 18, 2019, 00:01 ET

WICHITA, Kan., June 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems [NYSE: SPR] today announced it is transitioning recent research breakthroughs from the laboratory to its factory. The Joule Form™ process, which Spirit developed, is a new proprietary method for forming titanium raw material at elevated temperatures in the fabrication of aerospace components. This method provides the company a competitive advantage in the use of titanium, a highly desirable material thanks to its combination of strength and light weight.

To minimize the cost and quality challenges associated with titanium forging and machining, Spirit developed Joule Form™ process. This capability enables Spirit to minimize waste and maximize value, while directing energy only where it is needed, thereby decreasing the cost of machined parts and minimizing the company’s carbon footprint.

"We are the first in the aerospace industry to use this high-tech solution. The implementation of the Joule Form^TM process allows for more advanced production of titanium parts, such as those on Spirit's propulsion, fuselage and wing products," said Spirit AeroSystems Senior Vice President and Chief Technology and Quality Officer John Pilla. "This approach offers a host of benefits that ultimately reduce costs and drive greater efficiencies."

The Joule Form^TM process allows Spirit to form parts out of titanium plates rather than relying on machining large blocks of titanium. This significantly reduces waste and decreases the amount of machining, further enhancing Spirit's competitiveness. The process was internally developed as part of one of Spirit's key research focus areas, the Lean Metallic Structures Distinctive Capability.

"This emerging manufacturing improvement can replace more expensive techniques," said Kevin Matthies, Spirit's senior vice president of Global Fabrication. "We want to build high-quality products in a cost-effective way. This is a great example of improving a process to better serve our customers."

Joule Form™ technology can be used on aircraft components that are machined from plates or forgings, specifically on materials that are hard to machine and expensive to procure (like titanium and steel alloys). This could significantly increase the buy-to-fly ratio for detail parts.

On the web: www.spiritaero.com
On Twitter: @SpiritAero

About Spirit AeroSystems
Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe. More information is available at www.spiritaero.com.

SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems Inc.