GKN Aerospace accelerates additive fabrication ramp-up with US expansion

GKN Aerospace announced the expansion of its Newington, Connecticut facility, bringing a new production line dedicated to additive fabrication of the Fan Case Mount Ring (FCMR), a critical component of the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine powering Airbus A220 and Embraer E195-E2. The expansion will create new jobs and further strengthen GKN Aerospace’s presence in the US.

The FCMR programme became the largest flight-critical additive component to achieve FAA certification and is on track for 100% serial production by the end of 2025. The component’s core structure, the additively fabricated ‘hot size ring’, is already being delivered from GKN Aerospace’s Trollhättan facility in Sweden, with final machining completed in Newington. The expansion will support production ramp-up as well as help meet wider market demand.

GKN Aerospace’s proprietary additive fabrication process reduces material consumption, shortens production lead times, and is projected to achieve over 70% material savings. Critically, it will also help to strengthen global supply chains, by offering an alternative production method.

Sébastien Aknouche, SVP Material Solutions, GKN Aerospace said: "Today we already produce around 30 FCMR units per month at our Trollhättan facility. Expanding our cutting-edge technology, developed in Sweden, to the US will support the full volume of FCMR production in one place. As well as ramping up our production for the FCMR, it will also enable us to expand our additive fabrication offering to other customers in the USA."

www.gknaerospace.com