The culmination of 12 years research and development between Boeing, Messier-Dowty and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield was realised with the first metal cuttings of the new landing gear for the 787.
Messier-Dowty, along with Boeing are one of the principal sponsors of the AMRC. Specialist researchers at the AMRC worked for over 18 months with engineers at Messier-Dowty to develop the optimum machining processes to be adopted in the manufacture of new generation landing gear.
Before the first delivery of the units in 2007, Messier-Dowty put the new landing gear units through a rigorous testing programme at the Gloucester operation. This landing gear will be used for Boeing’s aircraft systems rig, whilst subsequent sets will be used for development testing in-house at Messier-Dowty.
Messier-Dowty, an integral member of the new Boeing 787 supply team, carried out extensive titanium machining trials in order to reduce the weight of the landing gear. The titanium forgings for the major structural components are now in production and. Messier-Dowty will incorporate an increased use of titanium on the main gear, including a titanium inner cylinder, which is an industry first.