According to three major tooling makers interviewed for Better MRO, the answer is a resounding “Yes.” Tier 1 suppliers are struggling to deliver parts fast enough—and some are waiting for new multiaxis machines for up to a year. Translation? Retooling strategies to meet the demand and get more from what you have. It may also mean a custom solution—but the outlook is bright:
According to Bill Durow, a global engineering manager in aerospace at Sandvik Coromant, the two major OEMs, Airbus and Boeing, aren’t as concerned with cost as they are with keeping up that production rate. By 2035, these companies plan to deliver 43,000 aircraft a year. That pressure to produce makes its way down to the FTier 2 component makers. Perhaps a job shop or other subcontractor makes a small part that goes into an engine. Say they made 30 parts a month … The OEMs are often requesting double that to keep those components going into the demand for the final engine and aircraft.
What do you think? Opportunity ahead or not worth it?
Kennametal shows tooling solutions to machine turbine blades, blade root and air foil forms