St. Louis, MO – Beckwood Press Company, a leading manufacturer of custom hydraulic and servo-electric presses, and Kansas Oklahoma Machine Tools (KOMT), a prominent machinery distributor throughout the Midwest, recently delivered the first ever press with automated die change to Spirit AeroSystems for use in Spirit’s Joule Form™ manufacturing process.
The Joule FormTM process is a proprietary method developed by Spirit for shaping metal parts at elevated temperatures in the fabrication of aerospace components. Using the automated press system from Beckwood, Spirit will be able to efficiently form lightweight titanium parts by directing energy only where it is needed, ultimately decreasing machined-part costs.
“This is an emerging manufacturing improvement for shaping metallic plate products that can replace more expensive techniques, such as die forgings and extrusions,” said Kevin Matthies, Spirit’s senior vice president, Global Fabrication. “Implementing this new technology will allow advanced production for parts such as those for propulsion systems. No one else in the industry has a comparable high-tech and cost-saving solution for this application.”
“Beckwood is continually on the forefront of new manufacturing technologies because R&D is at the heart of every press we build,” said Beckwood president Jeffrey Debus. “This exclusive system will revolutionize Spirit’s titanium forming operations around the globe.”
About Spirit Aerosystems
Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., 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. Learn more at spiritaero.com.
About KOMT
KOMT distributes and supports a broad range of advanced technology machine tools throughout the Midwest. Serving Kansas, Oklahoma, and the western half of Missouri, their highly experienced team of sales engineers and support technicians provide clients with an uncompromising level of service – both before and after the sale. With over 40 product lines represented, KOMT offers a breadth of manufacturing solutions unparalleled in the market, including some of the most unique and customized tooling products in the world. Learn more at komt.com.