China’s AVIC Shaanxi Hongyuan Aviation Forging Co. Ltd. put what it says is the world's largest clutch-operated screw press into operation at its site in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. The SPKA-type clutch-operated screw press, which was supplied by SMS group, has a screw diameter of 1,330 millimeters (52 inches), a blow force of 365 MN, a gross power of 27,000 kJ and a weight of 2,900 tons. It offers flexibility when it comes to optimizing the forging process and requires far less stroke to achieve the preset ram speed than a conventional slipping-wheel screw press. This type of press is particularly suited for high-energy forging typically used for turbine blades or structural aircraft components.

At the FIERF 32^nd Technical Conference held last September in Long Beach, Calif., Weber Metals’ Justin Owen made a presentation about the process by which OTTO FUCHS (OF)/Weber Metals made the decision to invest $180 million in what they say is North America’s largest forging press. This became the largest single investment decision in company history.

Arconic introduced an advanced titanium alloy called ARCONIC-THOR that is designed for higher-temperature applications in next-generation aero engines and adjacent structures. The new patented alloy is nearly 50% lighter than incumbent nickel-based superalloys, driving cost savings and fuel efficiency for customers and helping Arconic capture growing demand for advanced aero engine and airframe materials. ARCONIC-THOR can be produced as sheet, plate, foil, billet, rolled rings, forgings and extrusions. It is formable (cold, hot, superplastic), heat treatable, forgeable and weldable.

Russia’s VSMPO-AVISMA Corp. and Alcoa Samara, the Russian subsidiary of Alcoa, opened a joint venture in early September called AlTi Forge.

Kobe Steel Ltd. began mass production of large forged-titanium parts for France’s Safran Landing Systems, a leader in aircraft landing and braking systems.

Alcoa Titanium & Engineered Products will invest more than $8 million to expand its aerospace forging capabilities at its Martinsville, Va., plant.

Bharat Forge has been awarded a contract to supply titanium forgings for the Boeing 777X.

Boeing and India’s Bharat Forge Ltd. (BFL) announced the first shipment of titanium flap-track forgings made by BFL for Boeing’s next-generation 737.