Quintus Technologies, the world leader in fluid cell sheet metal forming, announces the shipment of three high-tonnage fluid cell presses to prominent U.S. customers in the global aviation industry. Two presses will support the production capacity of fuselages for new aircraft, and the third is destined for a market-leading commercial MRO for maintenance and repair of its existing airplane fleet.

Manufactured by the Swedish arm of the Quintus Technologies group, the super-sized presses range from an imposing 19,000-ton press force to a massive 77,000-ton press force! The "smallest" of the three, with a pressure forming capacity of 11,600 psi (800 bar), features an available forming area of 39.4 x 78.7 inches (1000 x 2000 mm). The forming areas of the larger units, both with a 14,500 psi (1000 bar) pressure capacity, are 47.2 x 157.5 inches (1200 x 4000 mm) and 63.0 x 157.5 inches (1600 x 4000 mm), respectively.

"The lead time for this type of equipment is as long as 1.5 years," states Ed Williams, General Manager-Americas, Quintus Technologies. "Our customers building new planes are keen to add extra capacity to match the growth in the aircraft industry. Our MRO customers are equally eager to maximize fleet flight hours and to minimize time needed for maintenance and repair."

The unique Quintus fluid cell sheet metal forming technology offers a number of production efficiencies for those engaged in the booming aviation market. The advanced process requires only one rigid tool half, generating significant tool cost savings while eliminating several forming operations, intermediate heat treatments, and operator dependencies.

"We are very pleased to be part of the growth of the aerospace industry," comments Jan Soderstrom, CEO of Quintus Technologies. "As the commercial fleet modernizes, fuel consumption will be reduced, supporting the drive to reduce emissions from air travel. We are proud to assist in providing the most advanced forming technology to support the industry in reducing its carbon footprint."