Volvo Aero passes important milestone with delivery for new engine type

Volvo Aero has now delivered its first components for the new PurePower® PW1100G-JM engine for the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft scheduled to enter service in 2015.

The components have been sent to Pratt & Whitney in the USA where they will be installed in the first engine to be tested this autumn.

This is a major milestone that Volvo Aero has now passed. The time plan is very challenging and the company has overcome many challenges through constant and focused work.

Stefan Hansson is Project Manager for one of the components that is now ready (the Turbine Exhaust Case, TEC, which is an important load-bearing structure in the engine) and he would like to pay tribute to all his colleagues for their engagement in the project.

"It's been a lot of work but all functions have contributed greatly. Everyone from Purchasing, Engineering and Production has worked hard together enabling us to succeed and deliver on time."

Those involved in delivering the other component on time (the IMC Hub, Intermediate Case), are just as pleased and proud. If anything, the challenge here was even greater because the component was worked on in both Trollhättan, Sweden and at the factory in Newington, Connecticut, USA.

Most of the machining was performed in the multitask cell in Trollhättan with surface treatment, assembly and final machining then performed by colleagues in Newington.

"This demonstrates that Trollhättan and Newington can work very well together," says Project Manager Magnus Berglund who is well aware of the enormous pressure on Volvo Aero to deliver on time. "Therefore, this really is a prestigious delivery."

The engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, will now assemble the components in a PW1100G-JM for its first tough engine test which the industry terms 'FETT' – First Engine To Test.

As early as 2015, the first Airbus aircraft powered by the new engine type will enter service so the time plan is extremely tight. This is just one milestone on a road containing many tough challenges.

The PurePower PW1100G-JM engine will power three of Airbus'best selling aircraft; the A319neo, A320neo and A321neo. The PurePower engine uses an advanced gear system allowing the engine's fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and an all-new advanced core delivers fuel efficiency and environmental benefits. The first PurePower PW1100G-JM engine is scheduled to begin testing by the end of this year.