Boeing 737 and 777

When the Boeing Aircraft company of Seattle, Washington announced its intent to design a new long range aircraft, Superform, was well positioned to promote the incorporation of SPF aluminium as a baseline for a variety of airframe applications. We had been supplying wing surface and engine nacelle skins and fairings on the high production 737 aircraft for many years and our status as a quality supplier fully qualified to the stringent D1-9000 specification, guaranteed us an audience with the various procurement and design teams.

Additionally, Boeing's interest in SPF aluminium and titanium had translated into their investment in our technology in the form of presses and technical know-how. This activity fuelled their designer's interest in using SPF to replace some aging practices such as drop hammer forming. With this background, Superform has successfully gained orders for wing tip pressings, wing flap leading edge sections, and equipment housings.

The wing tip pressings are formed in 3mm thick SPF 2004 alloy. These parts are heat treated to the T6 temper and net periphery trimmed.

Boeing 737

Since its launch in the 1970’s the Boeing 737 series has become the mainstay of many commercial airline fleets across the globe, and this continues today with the latest variants the 737-700 and 737-800. These new versions incorporate all the latest in aerospace technology, and for the first time feature Superformed external skin components manufactured in 5083 alloy.

The new 737 components are the strakelets forming the leading edge of the engine mounts