driving innovation in aerospace

MSM aerospace fabricators has a forward thinking ethos and is involved in exciting R&D programmes. We are constantly developing new methods of manufacture to add value to our customers’ products.

Through extensive R&D we have developed expertise in high pressure bulge forming – proven to be a cost effective alternative to the less reliable methods of stretch forming and spinning. Typically used for manufacturing cylindrical and double curvature components for ECS, exhaust, nacelle and thrust reverser applications.

Using a combination of our expertise on hydroforming and our extensive press shop facilities, MSM has developed the Bulge forming technique to a fine art with a capability of forming parts up to 1 metre diameter and 1 metre long from Titanium, nickel alloys, inconel 625 and 718 and aluminium. Typical examples of aircraft components are bleed air duct reducers, venturis, ozone converter shells, exhaust nozzles and cones. Note that sized tube is not required to make the sheet metal blank as MSM has the ability to roll the cylinder (orcone) from flat sheet and then auto-TiG weld the joint; this enables parts to be made of any diameter and any length and from any sheet material making the process very cost effective.

Bulge forming is a much more efficient and reliable method than spinning or stretch forming in the fact that it is much easier to control, involves higher forming forces and is therefore more consistent. It is a much smoother forming method and so is less stressful on the material, and is more cost effective without the need to do any post forming work to remove scratches and surface irregularities. This guarantees the final component to be more consistently accurate, of better quality and more cost effective. In the aerospace industry Bulge forming is typically used to produce products such as aircraft exhausts, intake lip skins, nacelle doors and fairings.

MSM has been manufacturing and repairing aircraft exhausts and ducts for over 80 years and is a key supplier to many of Europe’s regional airlines. Components can be supplied as finished parts or can be further worked and/or assembled within a 30,000 sq ft facility which houses our other NADCAP approved special processes.

If you need more information or you would like us to get in touch to discuss a specific requirement please contact a member of the MSM team.