800 ton SPF/DB Press, views taken on site, O/No. X60860, c.1980s

SPF/DB is an abbreviation for Superplastic Forming and Diffusion Bonding.

Peter Anderton – Technical Director of Rhodes Interform Ltd., writes: –

“The F&P press was supplied to what was then BAe Filton, Bristol, c.1984; later it became Airbus and more recently GKN. It was still in production around 2010. It was an 800 ton press purposely designed for making wing inspection panel. (oval panels about 400 long by 200 wide – look under any aircraft wing and you will see them). They made them on a tree of about 6 at a time. (I understand F&P made the press and Murdock Inc. fitted the gas and heat controls)”.

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