Electron Beam Eng. approved for laser welding Airbus A320neo engine

Electron Beam Eng. Inc. (EBE), Anaheim, Calif., has been approved for the laser welding required in the hydraulic fuel system of the Airbus A320neo engine.

“We were approached to perform the intricate laser welding of the fastening device within the fluid coupling mechanism that went into production last year,” said Grant Trillwood, general manager at EBE. “Both our company and the laser welding process we planned to use had to be qualified by the customer.”

EBE recommended the welding specification AWS D17.1, which covers material and design, fabrication, inspection, and qualification. EBE developed the laser welding parameters and produced cross-sectioned samples for testing and to confirm that the weld met the depth and strength requirements for this application. Once signed off, EBE was able to record the welding parameters and submit the weld schedule to the customer for final approval.

The company designed a multiuse fixture that is interchangeable for various sizes of nuts to help maintain on-time delivery and an acceptance rate of more than 99.8 percent.