High-pressure fluid cell press cuts labor costs, eliminates sheet-metal fabrication steps at PZL-Swidnik

AgustaWestland, a leader in vertical flight innovation, will install a Flexform fluid cell press from Avure Technologies at PZL- Swidnik, its helicopter factory in Swidnik, Poland. The Avure model QFC 0.7x1.8-800 press, featuring a forming area of 0.7x1.8 meters (27.5x72 inches), will provide a production capacity of several hundred thousand sheet metal parts per year.

Internationally known for its technology research and engineering expertise, the Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland is taking a leading role investigating future concepts of vertical flight. PZL-Swidnik, AgustaWestland's third industrial pillar in Europe and Poland's only original helicopter manufacturer, is heavily involved in developing AgustaWestland's new projects like the AW149 multi- role military helicopter and the SW-4 Rotary Unmanned Aerial System/Optionally Piloted Helicopter (RUAS/OPH), which leverages on the Swidnik-produced light single engine SW-4 helicopter. Apart from the latter, the Swidnik site produces also the W-3 Sokol helicopters.

PZL-Swidnik's new press, the latest model in the Avure fluid cell family, generates a forming pressure of 17,000 tons, making it possible to produce finished sheet metal parts with less labor hours and by reduced forming pressings. With two tandem forming tables that can accommodate several parts per cycle, the press will boost productivity and capacity for Poland's largest helicopter manufacturer.

It is expected that PZL-Swidnik's capacity in the high-pressure forming of metal sheets will be expanded by 30%. Initial tests indicated also a substantial potential to reduce labor hours and fabrication steps. The increased quality and capacity will allow the Swidnik plant to meet growing demand in the aviation industry.

“Avure's sheet metal forming presses reduce fabrication steps and decrease component costs,” states Anders Ringdahl, Regional Sales Director of Avure Technologies in the EMEA region. “The high forming pressure will allow PZL-Swidnik to achieve tighter parts tolerances and lower per-part production costs.”

The delivery of the QFC 0.7x1.8-800 press, which generates a pressure of 800 bar (11,600 psi) over the forming area, represents the 10th installation of this latest addition to Avure's Flexform fluid cell press family. First deployed in 2013, the 10 new model presses are now operating in seven countries in four continents around the globe.