Product Solution

Anti-Ice Systems

Anti-ice ducting systems utilise engine bleed air to heat wing, tail leading edges and engine nacelles, thus preventing ice build up. We design and manufacture anti-ice systems to the Aerospace industry, with key clients including commercial airliners, business jets and military transports.

Product information

Senior Bird Bellows supplies all ducting components for anti-ice systems. This includes piccolos featuring a series of tiny holes that direct hot air to the leading edge surface. We also manufacture telescopic ducts, which extend and rotate to accommodate the movement of wing control surfaces.

Key product features

  • Providing anti-ice systems for wing, tail and engine
  • Material selection includes; nickel alloys, titanium and stainless steel
  • We cover the range of temperatures and pressures typically required for anti-ice systems

The development process commences with top level system requirements and system analysis, leading to concept routing and further analysis, before details, qualification and production supply. The full manufacturing operation and majority of processes are completed in-house, including welding and CNC tube bending. We utilise CATIA v5 and Autodesk Inventor for 3D modelling, and ANSYS software for analysis.

All systems and components are put through a rigorous qualification programme to ensure the design meets operational and environmental requirements. These typically include pressure, temperature, endurance, vibration, fluids resistance, humidity, sand and dust, and salt fog. Our comprehensive internal test facility, coupled with strong relationships with a number of test houses, allows us to manage the complete qualification process.

We offer a full suit of anti-ice components to suit their exact requirements. We have found many solutions for engineering challenges, and by taking view of the whole system, we can use our knowledge and experience to recommend the best type and where they should be fitted.

The more involved we are in the process, the more we can utilise our knowledge and experience to optimise the design. This in turn has a positive impact on weight, cost and efficiency.

  • Rolls Royce SABRe
  • Airbus
  • Embraer
  • BAE Systems
  • Leonardo
  • Bell
  • GKN
  • Dresser
  • Honeywell
  • Baker Hughes
  • Part 21 Subpart G Production Approval – UK CAA
  • AS9100 Rev D Quality Systems Aerospace – BSI
  • ISO9001
  • ISO14001 2015 Environmental Management System- BSI
  • Nadcap AS7114 Non Destructive Testing – PRI
  • Nadcap AS7110 Welding – PRI

Senior Bird Bellows have adapted a gated New Product Introduction Process, which is based on AS9145. Many OEMs are now beginning to use this process.

Our Capabilities

We design innovative, cost-effective engineering solutions, specialising in the design of bellows, bellows assemblies, gimbal bellows, flexible joints and aerospace bleed air ducting systems. Our team of experienced engineers cover all parts of the process, from system analysis and concept to detail, qualification and production supply. This enables us to fully optimise the design of the system, using our extensive knowledge and experience to maximise efficiency and minimise weight and cost.

With a production area of 60,000 square feet, our dedicated team of experienced engineers have access to leading technology and resources to create a range of high quality, high performing products to operate in extreme environments and applications. Our fully equipped site houses a wide range of production machinery including; a CNC tube bender, various CNC lathes and machine centres, and robotic spot welding and polishing. Furthermore, our new production process based on AS9145 means we can offer high standard products that are producible and repeatable in a timely manner.

Our thorough material selection process ensures maximum efficiency and safety is achieved for every application. Our scope of materials include: stainless steel, nickel alloys, Hastelloy®, Incoloy® 825, Monel® 400 and titanium Gr.2. The specific selection is based on the requirements of the part and the environment it’ll be based in, including the pressure and temperature levels it will undergo. It is imperative that the right materials are selected for each project, as parts failure is simply not an option.

Our on-site testing and qualification facility is purpose-built and highly adaptable to ensure maximum performance of all our products. Our leading technology enables us to provide extensive testing across all products, meeting the demand for application conditions during product qualification. Typical tests include: endurance at elevated temperature, cyclic fatigue, proof/burst and rupture, 24/7 cycle testing, high temperature and pressure, subzero and icing, helium leak detection, radiography, dye penetrant, air under water, mass spectrometer leak detection and three-axis measuring resource.

Discuss your project with our Sales Engineers
Telephone:
+44 (0)1260 271411
culture of quality

A worldwide reputation for quality and trust

Our team of highly skilled, highly motivated people take real pride in their work. This maintains the high standards we’re known for as we continue to strive for Zero Defect and 100% satisfaction. Our dedicated Quality Team cover everything necessary to maintain compliance, meet our customers’ needs and continually improve our business.

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HSE Commitments

Committed to high levels of health and safety in everything we do

Every member of the Senior Bird Bellows team is dedicated to developing our strong safety culture, taking a responsible attitude towards our HSE responsibilities. This commitment to ‘doing the right thing’ will help to transform our sector into a safer, more responsible and eco-friendly industry.

Learn more about our HSE commitments