University of Akron and Airborne Project on Pathway to FAA Certification

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The technique involves a high pressure spraying process in which metal particles contained in a supersonic jet of an expanded gas impact a solid surface with sufficient energy to cause bonding with the surface. This additive manufacturing process builds up and repairs the surface of the metal part without creating a heat-affected zone that would occur during welding or high temperature thermal spray.

Development and testing has been underway for two years, funded by the Ohio Legislature in the last Operating Budget, and supported by The University of Akron's National Center for Education and Research on Corrosion and Materials Performance (NCERCAMP) in collaboration with Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services (AMES), SAFEngineering, Inc., and U.S. Technology Corporation. The data gathered has provided the foundation required for FAA approval of SPD dimensional restoration of aircraft structure.

This collective effort has produced numerous achievements with the SPD technology highlighting the effectiveness of public-private partnerships for economic growth. Once the goal of this program is attained, the application of the process is limitless across the commercial aviation sector.

"This technology in commercial applications creates significant ongoing opportunities for economic advancement in Ohio through advanced manufacturing and job growth," said Greg Smith, Director, Engineering for Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services.

UA's Corrosion Engineering program is the first of its kind in the United States. Housed at The University of Akron, NCERCAMP provides a multi-disciplinary approach to help government and industry develop solutions for corrosion and materials performance challenges. In response to requests from private industry and the Department of Defense in 2006, The University of Akron launched an effort to help address the cost of corrosion on the nation's economy, estimated at more than $400 billion annually. In 2010, NCERCAMP was established by Congress and the U.S. Department of Defense.

"We are grateful for the support that the State of Ohio has provided for this first phase of the SPD project which is making significant progress," said Rex Ramsier, UA's senior vice president and provost. "This partnership brings together the University's expertise in corrosion and materials science with the extensive experience that our partners have in aviation and technology to create an exciting opportunity for job creation and technological advancement in Ohio."

Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services is a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company that occupies nearly a half-million square feet of hangar and component repair/overhaul facilities at the Wilmington Air Park in southwest Ohio, plus an additional 340,000 sq. ft. in Tampa, Florida. They employ more than 800 persons at their Wilmington facility. AMES is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group.

SAFEngineering Corporation (SAFE, Inc.) is a research, development, test, and evaluation company providing aircraft engineering and certification services for commercial airlines and MROs. With their highly-specialized team of scientists and engineers, the company has developed the FAA Certification Plan; process specification; mechanical and environmental test plans; repair substantiation; and repair specification. In collaboration with The University of Akron, SAFE, Inc. is executing the robust test program required by the FAA.   

U.S. Technology Aerospace Engineering Corporation (USTAE) has 25 years of professional engineering experience in all phases of aerospace painting and de-painting operations. Located in northeast Ohio, they are working with AMES and NCERCAMP to install the SPD equipment at the AMES facility.

SOURCE University of Akron

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