Pratt & Whitney is increasing production at its first advanced manufacturing facility in Singapore, operated by P&W NGPF Manufacturing Company Singapore Pte Ltd, a joint venture with Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
Using adaptive machining and cutting-edge automated inspection systems, as well as the latest in advanced manufacturing tools and processes, the facility’s production of fan blades and turbine disks has steadily increased since its official opening in 2016.
The facility operates two manufacturing lines delivering fan blades and high-pressure turbine disks for GTF engines. Full production capacity for the plant is expected to be achieved by early 2019.
The Singapore manufacturing facility will play a key role in supporting the demand for more than 8,000 GTF engine firm and option orders from customers in Asia Pacific and around the globe.
Innovative advanced manufacturing technologies and processes are deployed at the Singapore manufacturing facility, for example, customized intelligent milling machines with automated compensation to reduce time for high-pressure turbine disk production by as much as 60 hours per part.
“Pratt & Whitney is committed to becoming a major contributor to the booming manufacturing market in Singapore and across the Asia Pacific region,” said Marc Paquet, Pratt & Whitney Manufacturing Singapore General Manager.
To meet a rising demand for aviation talent across the Asia Pacific region and to support a ramp up in production, Pratt & Whitney is also focused on nurturing and developing its more than 3,000-strong local workforce.
Company initiatives such as development programs for graduate hires and leadership training for technical staff, provide employees with the latest in progressive automation and advanced aerospace technologies.
Pratt & Whitney sponsors further learning opportunities for its employees at the Singapore facility and has sent personnel to Pratt & Whitney facilities worldwide to learn, train and elevate their capabilities.
This increase in production supports the recent announcement by Singapore’s Economic Development Board to achieve S$4 billion (~US$3 billion) in manufacturing net output by 2020 for the country’s aerospace industry.
Pratt & Whitney’s Asia Pacific operations are also located in China, India and New Zealand. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp.
