Big machines for big aspirations

12th Dec 2018, 09:05 • In Features

South Korean-based Hanwha Aerospace, part of the Hanwha Group – a Fortune Global 500 company – has advised that its plans to significantly ramp up production and supply of civil aircraft aero-engine parts (fans and compressors) to the global aerospace market through the creation of a new manufacturing facility in Vietnam, are nearing completion.

The new factory, located near Hanoi, is substantial and, at 60,000m² is approximately eight times the size of a football pitch. Building works, which began in 2017 are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Once fully operational it is anticipated that Hanwha Aerospace will be able to increase sales turnover to 1 trillion Won (USD 879 million) and lead the aero-engine production industry by 2025.

To help the company achieve its ambitions it has invested heavily in a number of large-capacity Doosan vertical ram-type lathes (VTRs). By the end of January 2019 it is expected that 30 Doosan VTRs will have been installed at the new Vietnam factory, rising to 120 machines by 2024.The machines supplied to Hanwha Techwin comprise VTR 1012F and VTR 1216F models.

Doosan’s F-designated VTR machines have a fixed cross beam design, as opposed to a travelling cross beam and, as such, are particularly suited to the machining of smaller, shorter components such as aero-engine rings.

In addition, both VTR models also have a wide column and box guideway design, and are equipped with powerful ram-type spindles (up to 45kW/400rpm) and large diameter cross taper roller bearings for heavy-duty machining operations.

The machines also feature rapid servo-driven tool changers, high-efficiency swarf evacuation and management systems for increased productivity and trouble-free machining, and a maximum turning diameter up to 1,600mm (VTR 1216F).

Tony Dale, technical director at Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland states: “Across the world, Doosan machine tools are used extensively and are specified by global aerospace OEMs and by leading manufacturers in the aerospace supply chain.

“Hanwha Aerospace supplies aero-engine parts to GE, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce, amongst many others, and the sheer scale of this investment – 120 machines in five years – is truly remarkable and demonstrates Doosan’s prowess in the aerospace sector.”

Mills CNC www.millscnc.co.uk

Author

Ed Hill

Company

MIlls CNC