Citation
(2004), "First set of A380 Track Cans delivered", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776bab.025
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
First set of A380 Track Cans delivered
First set of A380 Track Cans delivered
Doncasters Bramah based in Sheffield, UK, has delivered the first set of Leading Edge Slat Track Cans for the new Airbus A380 aircraft. These were delivered on schedule, direct to the Airbus facility in Broughton. The contract to supply the track cans for the life of the A380 programme was awarded to Doncasters Bramah in September 2002.
Altogether, there are 26 cans per aircraft, located in the main spar of the aircraft's wing and extending into the main fuel cell. Their function is to house the tracks on which the Leading Edge Slats extend and retract when deployed during take off and landing.
Traditionally, Slat Track Cans are manufactured from thick aluminium sheet but to keep weight to a minimum, the cans for the A380 are produced from titanium using special processes in which Doncasters Bramah are noted. After fabrication, the cans are extensively chemically milled to produce components that are light in weight, whilst retaining the high degree of strength and structural integrity that such components demand in service.