Project Results

The SPECTRA project validated the principle of the process for the given case study, demonstrating good material health and very positive NDT results. The strengths of this process are the absence of mechanical knockdown, good process repeatability and excellent control system. An iterative approach from coupon scale to a full scale demonstrator has been carried out, using process simulation to help design tools and manufacture compact, high-performance tools.

 

At the same time, a strategy for managing assembly gaps was studied, with promising results. The demonstrator for a 1 m² fuselage panel was designed to weld three frames. It addressed the welding of curved parts and the welding of multiple zones in parallel on the same part.

Technical & economic impacts

  • Reducing the environmental footprint
  • Increasing production rates

Industrial Applications 

The SPECTRA project is part of a collaborative development between a number of players, including major corporations and SMEs, to meet specific industrial objectives of interest to end-users, prime contractors, aeronautical equipment manufacturers and toolmakers alike. SPECTRA’s aim was to demonstrate the static conduction welding process for primary aerostructures. More specifically, the aim was to meet a small geometrically constrained welding requirement. The final application was to demonstrate the welding of frames to curved panels. The same process was also used to functionalise the frames by adding brackets.

 

   ‘The results obtained show enormous potential for this technology, which could be extended to other aeronautical components and even to other industries,’ explains Luc Amedewovo, Research Engineer at SAFRAN.