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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M24141/01
Title: IMI: ARC WELDING PROCESS IMPROVEMENT FOR AIRFRAME APPLICATIONS (CEMWAM II)
Principal Investigator: Blackman, Mr SA
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Airbus Group Limited BAE Systems Bombardier
British Aluminium Ltd Ministry of Defence (MOD) Rolls-Royce Plc
TWI Ltd
Department: Sch of Industrial and Manufacturing Scie
Organisation: Cranfield University
Scheme: LINK
Starts: 01 April 1999 Ends: 31 December 2001 Value (£): 286,234
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Energy
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
During the first IMI CEMWAM programme, an initial investigation of the feasibility of fusion welding processes for primary airframe structures was carried out. Work at Cranfield demonstrated that sound welds can be achieved in'h selected 2xxx and 7xxx series alloys using the TIG and Plasma processes. Consistent process performances have also been shown on Ti-6A1-4V. Independently, the potential of MIG welding has also been demonstrated, and a systematic baseline study is now proposed. This work seeks to extend the earlier feasibility study through a series of iterative steps enabling welding process improvement and airframe joint design to proceed in parallel. Attention will be paid to a number of critical considerations, including: start / stop control (influence on distortion and cracking), process control for variable heat sink geometries,. welding requirements for variable material thickness, and parameter selection for minimisation of component distortion. At the end of the first year prototype demonstrators will be constructed. Design and process modifications will then be carried out to improve on the limitations and problems encountered, prior to production of optimised demonstrators. The information generated will enable UK industries to critically assess the advantages..and limitations of arc welding technologies for airframe applications.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk