GKN provides complete solutions using composites, producing custom-designed parts with polymer thermset resins and advanced fibers such as graphite, kevlar, fiberglass, or other high performance reinforcements. The company offers complete service, in partnership with customers -- from materials selection to product design, production to assembly.
Company Overview

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We want to be an integrated member of the customer's team. We want to be your preferred high performance partner."

 

 

Research and development engineers begin by helping customers select the parts best made with composites. They work at the customer's location to help the customer get the full benefits of these state-of-the-art materials

GKN offers build-to-spec or build-to-print solutions. If we want to be your partner, we must offer individual solutions.

Nothing out-of-the-box!!

 

 

The design and manufacturing process selected depends on the needed characteristics of the part being made. Fabrics may be custom-woven for a component. Braiding or other techniques may be appropriate.

Pre-impregnated reinforcement molding, pre-preg, a staple of our company, uses giant autoclaves to merge the pre-impregnated resins and fabric into the required design.

Components may require honeycomb core, or overlaid layers of different kinds of fabrics. The orientation of each ply determines a part's design efficiency. These are closely engineered and controlled during manufacturing.

 

 

 

 

 

After a pre-preg part is created, GKN will drill assembly holes, add rivets and trim edges. Water-jet cutting machines can cut laminates quickly, with no delimitation of cut edges. Pieces may be assembled into larger components, whatever precision craftsmanship is required. The company today, is the recognized leader in resin transfer molding, producing a wide range of parts in partnership with some of the world's most advanced aircraft manufacturers.

 

 

Resin Film Infusion (RFI) is a low cost, non-autoclave cure process that produces high performance composite laminates using dry performs and a controlled resin film for infusion during cure.  GKN-Alabama is the first aerospace company to take the RFI process into full-scale production.  In 24 months the RFI process was developed from initial concept to full production with tasks including the development of a material database, acquisition of new equipment, and transition of the process to support full production rates.  At the current time GKN-Alabama has successfully applied this technology to the production of secondary composite structures for a major OEM.  Development structures have also been fabricated to support the introduction of RFI on primary aircraft structures. We have fabricated and produced composite RFI structures using various fibers and resins that allow us the ability to tailor mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of the RFI structure.  Complex shaped composite structures from glass, aramid and carbon fibers have all been efficiently produced.  We have successfully fabricated structures using woven, unidirectional, non-crimped and braided structures using the RFI process.

 

 

 

 

 

Hundred's of experienced craftsman at the Alabama facility -- more than a half million square feet of manufacturing space -- the outsource for some of the world leading aircraft engine and airframe manufacturers today, turning some 2,000 separate components each week for use in the military and commercial aerospace.

GKN's computerized system guides labeling machines, cutters, curing and other equipment. It helps keep waste to a minimum -- and that also means a significant reduction in manufacturing costs.

Today, GKN's composites are accepted by the world's significant aircraft manufacturers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GKN has the solutions... turnkey solutions for both commercial and military aircraft.