Novel application of LFW to enable near net shape forming of components

由GKN Aerospace领导的一个应用研究项目，采用现有的连接技术，线性摩擦焊接（LFW），并以一种新的方式应用它来实现近净成形，从而使英国整体制造业的竞争力发生了重大变化。它能够显著降低原材料需求和加工时间及成本，大大提高“即买即飞”比率和环境可持续性。通过减少材料供应和硬金属和软金属零件制造过程中的能源使用，整个供应链将实现环境效益。工作将与Thompson Friction Weld一起进行，他们在使用LFW方面拥有丰富的经验，并得到伯明翰大学的学术支持，用于焊接特性，优化和验证。这种先进的制造技术将使高价值的成本效益的环境有益的制造业被利用在英国在竞争日益激烈的全球市场。该项目解决了本次会议中确定的两个挑战：金属/网状混合结构的智能加工和新制造工艺能力的创新。

An applied research project led by GKN Aerospace, taking an existing joining technique, Linear Friction Welding (LFW), and applying it in a novel way to achieve near net shape forming, resulting in a step-change in overall UK manufacturing competitiveness. It enables both a significantly reduced raw material requirement and machining time and cost, delivering a much improved 'Buy to Fly' ratio and environmental sustainabilty. Environmental benefits will be achieved through the whole supply chain from reduced energy used during material supply and part manufacture of both hard and soft metals.Work will be undertaken with Thompson Friction Weld, who have a proven experience in using LFW, and academic support from the University of Birmingham for weld characterisation, optimisation and validation. This advanced manufacturing technology will enable high value cost efficient environmentally beneficial manufacturing to be exploited in the UK in an increasingly competitive global market. The project adresses two challenges identified in this call: Intelligent processing of metals/net shape hybrid structures and Innovation in new manufacturing process competencies.