World’s first all-electric Superplastic Forming/Diffusion Bonding (SPF/DB) press
Aerospace Cutting Tool (ACT) ltd., in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and CSL Soft ltd., have developed the world’s first all-electric Superplastic Forming/Diffusion Bonding press, which went on show to the public for the first time at the MACH 2024 exhibition. Using electro-mechanical actuators, the new press offers a cost- effective, affordable solution with the added advantage of increased process flexibility within a single unit.
Funded by a grant from Innovate UK, and mentored and supported by the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP), ACT ltd. working with its partners has successfully designed a machine which has up to 50% savings on press manufacturing costs, together with up to 85% reduction in hydraulic energy costs. Noticeably, the original preparation for the grant application was supported by the Sheffield Innovation Programme 2 initiative.
Sheffield Hallam’s role in the project was to help ACT ltd., optimise the structural integrity of the new machine’s steel framework using advanced finite element analysis techniques, as well as identifying the opportunities for value added value engineering.
Nicholas Pickett, the academic Principal Investigator for the project, said
“Its been a great experience working alongside ACT ltd. and CSL Soft ltd, and contributing to the development of such a revolutionary new press.”
The machine was on show all week from 15th-19th April at MACH 2024, NEC Birmingham.
