Technology in motion

However, a redesign of the components meant a much more radical approach to manufacture with the company embracing highly sophisticated 5-axis technology. Over the last fourteen years, the Wrexham-based investment casting tier one supplier has been keenly investing in the latest machining technology, and with the complex geometries of the A400M components providing a substantial challenge, its latest investment in a Huron MX4 twin pallet 5-axis machining centre is no exception.

Although it turned out to be one of the most ambitious projects that Tritech has undertaken, the A400M fuel connector package started life as a typical investment casting contract, supplying critical fuel connectors that sit in the wings of the aircraft. However, when Airbus established that considerable weight savings could be achieved by reducing the wall thickness of 64 parts in each set from 2mm down to 1mm, mechanical and metallurgical integrity dictated that the parts would need to be machined from solid (MFS) aluminium to a tolerance of 15 microns.

The Production Engineering Management team at Tritech quickly established its manufacturing objectives. Paul Beer, engineering and development manager at Tritech explains: “We were very aware that the MFS project was going to require not only a state-of-the-art machine, but also commitment to a very significant turnkey project. When looking for a supplier our list of essential requirements included a twin pallet system with a flexible multi-machine, multi-pallet system integration and unmanned capability; the ability to demonstrate successful machining of a demo part to specification and within an estimated cycle time; a record of outstanding UK support for applications, engineering and service; total project management capability; and an ability to manage the supply chain.”

Most importantly, machine suppliers had to demonstrate that the demo part could be produced in a single set-up, with the exception of a minor preliminary operation for workholding. High on the shortlist was Huron and a cutting trial was quickly arranged.

Beer continues: “This had since developed beyond a cutting trial, and Huron was requested to submit three parts to Airbus as ‘real parts'. Huron's application engineers produced the parts under amazing pressure on the Huron K2X8Five, 5-axis machine. Testament to their expertise and performance is that when we left Huron after our two day visit we had finished parts in our cases. The guys at Huron continued to machine the opposite hand of these parts and couriered them over to Tritech the next day. They were then submitted to Airbus on time, to specification and within the allotted cycle time, where we were met with comments like ‘the best that we have seen within such a short development time.' Needless to say Fortron UK [Huron's UK agent] secured the purchase order.”

With the required specification established, the establishment of the contract resulted in the delivery of the Huron MX4 machine. Key features include the incorporation of a 24,000rpm liquid cooled, high speed spindle, linear drive technology enabling acceleration rates in excess of 1g, a high capacity 84 station ATC and the latest Siemens 840D PC-based control. Fortron UK's sales manager Mark Devall explains: “One of the major advantages of the MX4 is Huron's patented TRIM (Table with Rotary Integral Motor) technology, which uses integral drive motors to drive the combined movements of the A and C axes. The result is the elimination of axis reversal imperfections on the surface finish of a contoured profile along with the added benefit of increased acceleration and deceleration response times which together achieve a higher quality component in a shorter cycle time.”
Having put the machine contract in place, Fortron UK then set about helping Tritech establish the supply chain for all its additional requirements. Following an
extensive selection process, companies were selected on the basis of their expertise and enthusiasm for the project.

Delcam offered its PowerMILL CAM package which provides a powerful port machining capability, lending itself well to the application and the demanding surface finish requirements of the through bore on the fuel connector components. It also provided an extensive onsite training and support package carried out by applications engineers from itself, Huron and Fortron UK, giving Tritech the in-house capability to develop and complete up to six extremely complex 5-axis MFS parts in a week.

As well as a competitive product package, Seco Tools also supplied project support through its Component Engineering Team, which spent a considerable amount of time working with its partner applications engineers. John McGhee, senior applications engineer at Seco explains: “The Jabro and Aeromaster high speed tooling supplied by us combined with our modular EasyShrink system, allowed Tritech to fully utilise the machining capabilities of the MX4 by maximising metal removal rates and achieving outstanding component surface finishes.”

All of this could not be achieved however without a workholding package that would allow the MFS parts to be produced in the minimum number of operations, allowing full spindle/ tool axis through the full 5-axis volume. REM Systems (representing Erowa pallet systems in the UK) was involved in the strategy from the base up. With the bespoke system developed, pallets can be taken off the machine and replaced within 0.010mm.

Completing the process chain, the MX4 was additionally specified with the NC4 laser tool measuring system from Renishaw, who has also supplied an RMP600 spindle probe and its AE Pro inspection software. Beer adds: “The Renishaw probing system has been a very important asset to the MX4, controlling tooling functionality and piece part datum setting. The introduction of AE Pro will continue over the coming months and will enable critical dimensions to be measured on the machine, providing a full inspection report and eliminating the need for a full CNC CMM check for first-off validation.”

Tritech claims that ‘this project is testament to how a group of companies can come together to produce a finished product and process that is truly outstanding'. Certainly, what stands out is the level of willingness of each partner to work together and dedicate resources and expertise to a common goal with what is perhaps an uncommon strategy, ultimately to the benefit of all parties. As far as Tritech's development into the future goes however, MFS is set to become a highly valuable business asset as manufacturers give weight and strength further precedence over cost to produce ever more sophisticated aircraft.

www.tritechgroup.co.uk
www.fortron.uk.com