APF - Automated Peen Forming |
 print version |
| |
| KSA's core product is the development and implementation of
APF - Automated Peen Forming solutions for customers in the aerospace and transport industries. After development of an automated solution at our plant in Aachen, we either carry out
APF - Automated Peen Forming as a contract service on our own peen forming facilities or arrange for the installation of a customized peen forming facility as an integrated, automated solution at the customer's site.
APF - Automated Peen Forming is a repeatable, fully-automated peen forming process carried out by computer-controlled robots in a controlled environment. Our customized APF software steers and controls the movement of the peening nozzle across the component while simultaneously performing online data acquisition. The information acquired is constantly visualized, recorded and evaluated within the "closed loop" system so that the peening parameters are adjusted automatically where necessary in order to form the component into the required shape. Documentation of the complete process provides proof of unvarying processing as well as a record of all the energies which have been applied to the component - an essential requirement for parts in the aerospace industry.
All our automation solutions are equipped with our integral ISIC ® - System for measuring and controlling shot velocity and distribution at the nozzle outlet. This unique device guarantees the transferability of our peening technology to any production site worldwide.
The following examples illustrate some applications of APF:
|
|
Automated Peen Forming as a Contract Service
Production of Ariane 5 structural segments on a contract basis |
| We peen form tank bulkhead segments for the Ariane 5 rocket on a contract basis for MT Aerospace AG, Augsburg, Germany. Five tank bulkheads consisting of eight segments are required for each rocket. We also produce twenty-four cone panel segments for each Ariane 5 rocket for EADS Astrium N.V., Netherlands. In all, KSA peen forms 64 segments ranging from 0.8 m² to 3.2 m² in size for each rocket, resulting in a total of 300 - 500 segments annually. To date, we have successfully used APF to peen form more than 3000 segments on a fully-automated basis for Ariane 5. |
 |
| »More information |
| |
Automated Peen Forming as an On-site Automation Solution
Re-shaping of laser-beam-welded fuselage shells for Airbus |
| We are responsible for re-shaping laser-beam-welded fuselage shells for a range of Airbus aircraft (A380, A340, A318 ff.) at the Airbus plant in Nordenham. This application entails the re-shaping of different types of shell ranging from 6 m² to 34 m² for various aircraft using automated peen forming and the integration of the APF process into the customer's production chain. To date, more than 1000 components have been peen formed successfully on-site for Airbus with our APF technology. |
 |
| »More information |
| |
| |