May 2026 Volume 8

EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Sponsored Content

MEETING AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING DEMANDS WITH ADVANCED FORGING TECHNOLOGY Sponsored by ANDRITZ Schuler

T he aerospace industry is entering a decisive phase of growth, driven by rising global air traffic, fleet expansion, aircraft retirements, and continued investment in new fuel efficient platforms. At the same time, defense programs and space applications are increasing demand for high performance, safety critical components. Alongside rising demand, aerospace manufacturers face heightened sustainability expectations. OEMs, regulators, and customers are focused on reducing energy consumption, improving material efficiency, and lowering lifecycle emissions without compromising the performance, reliability, and certification requirements that define aerospace production. Forging has long served as a key manufacturing method for the aerospace industry – delivering strength, repeatability, and efficient material utilization amid these growing challenges. Aerospace Production on The Rise Aircraft OEMs and Tier level suppliers face continued pressure to increase output across a wide range of components, such as turbine blades, compressor discs, and landing gear elements, while still meeting tight tolerances and performance standards. ANDRITZ Schuler forging presses are specifically engineered for these demanding aerospace applications. The company’s portfolio includes direct drive screw presses, hydraulic forging presses, and fully integrated forging cells designed to deliver high accuracy, stable cycle times, and precise process control. These systems support the series production of complex aerospace components formed from challenging materials such as titanium alloys, nickel based superalloys, and high strength steels. A defining feature of ANDRITZ Schuler’s direct drive screw press technology is the elimination of intermediate mechanical components. Torque is transmitted directly from the motor to the spindle, minimizing mechanical losses and wear. Forming energy can be precisely adjusted to suit different part geometries, alloys, and production volumes. This flexibility is particularly valuable in aerospace manufacturing, where small to medium batch sizes and frequent changeovers are common. Automation plays an equally important role in supporting higher output. Integrated forging cells combine pre forming, heating, forging, trimming, and material handling into coordinated production systems. By reducing manual intervention and synchronizing process steps, automated lines improve cycle time consistency, increase overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and minimize the risk of operator related variability.

Forging: A Sustainable Solution In parallel with increasing production volumes, sustainability is a key strategic priority across the aerospace supply chain. Energy usage, material waste, and emissions are increasingly monitored to meet regulatory requirements and support OEM sustainability goals. Forging inherently supports sustainable manufacturing through component production that minimizes scrap and material removal, particularly for high value alloys. ANDRITZ Schuler builds on these advantages through energy efficient press designs, optimized forming processes, and integrated digital monitoring solutions. As previously mentioned, screw presses with direct drive allow forming energy to be matched to the exact requirements of each part. This ensures that no excess energy is consumed and contributes to extended tool life and lower overall resource consumption throughout the equipment lifecycle. Beyond new equipment installations, ANDRITZ Schuler supports sustainability through modernization and retrofit solutions. Existing forging presses — whether ANDRITZ Schuler systems or third party equipment — can be upgraded with improved drives, digital energy monitoring, and modern controls technology. These upgrades allow aerospace manufacturers to enhance efficiency and environmental performance while extending the life of existing machines, reducing the need for resource intensive new installations. ANDRITZ Schuler’s screw presses with direct drive produce a wide variety of parts and offer high repeatability, reliability, flexibility, and efficiency.

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2026 24