FedEx is to replace the nylon nets used in its fleet of older widebody aircraft to protect crew from the hazards of loose cargo pallets, with a new rigid cargo bulkhead from US structures specialist Tolo.
The barrier is based on Tolo's patented Grid-Lock technology and is formed from two interlocking pieces of milled aluminium which mate to create the closed-cell panel weighing 680kg.
The cargo airline has ordered 31 of the bulkheads so far, worth around $6 million to Tolo, and plans to order a further 60. Two have been shipped to date - one to Aernovali in Italy and one to Boeing, for retrofitting to FedEx McDonnell Douglas DC-10s, says Grid-Lock applications manager Curtis Lockshaw.
The Irvine, California-based company believes that there is a large untapped market, worth over $200 million, for the bulkhead, which was originally commissioned by McDonnell Douglas (MDC), ahead of its take-over by Boeing.
Grid-Lock's two-piece design compares with an original MDC honeycomb panel, which consisted of 22 parts. "It's around 10% less expensive than the original honeycomb version," says Lockshaw, who adds that the design avoids the need for expensive non-destructive testing, and that there are no corrosion, delamination or damage-repair problems. Installation is also simple, as the barrier is "-rolled through the cargo door and tilted into position".
The bulkhead has been certificated to the required US Federal Aviation Administration standard - withstanding 90,800kg accelerated at 9g. There is no need for the 1.5m net-extension safety zone for the rigid structure.
Grid-Lock technology is being applied to "all types of aircraft structure", ranging from the Boeing AV-8B attack aircraft to satellites and lightweight cargo containers, says Lockshaw.
Source: Flight International
