In orbit, during rocket launches or within satellite systems, every gram and every contour matters. Winkelmann manufactures high-precision, flow-formed components for space applications where low weight, high strength and absolute reliability are paramount. Using aluminium, stainless steel, titanium, niobium, high-strength steels or nickel-based superalloys, we produce thin-walled, seamless components with precisely defined geometries and application-specific wall thicknesses.

Typical applications include liners, pressure vessels and filter housings, as well as cones, fuel tanks, rocket nose cones, interstages and control nozzles. The result is components that meet extreme technical requirements while being consistently optimized for weight, precision and performance.

ACCUMULATORS, PRESSURE VESSELS & FILTER HOUSINGS

High flyers: Our flowformed housings and sleeves of different shapes and wall thicknesses are conquering space. Made of stainless steel, aluminum, and even overwrapped with carbon fiber, they are used in pressure tanks, accumulators and filter housings.

CONES & TAPERED COMPONENTS

Streamlined for peak performance: using projecting flow forming, we manufacture seamless cones and conical parts, for example as rocket nose cones or interstages. Components feature precise wall thicknesses and the highest contour accuracy. Depending on the application, wall thicknesses range from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, and up to 10 mm. The materials used are at the top end of the technological spectrum — from titanium and niobium to high-strength steel and nickel-based superalloys. Over the past decades, we have developed deep expertise in processing all these materials.

PRESSURE VESSELS

Unmatched strength: Flowformed pressure vessels have an extremely high specific strength. We manufacture pressure vessels from extremely high-strength materials such as tempered steel or maraging steel, for applications such as fuel tanks for controlling rocket nozzles. The goal is to achieve maximum strength at the lowest possible weight.

In aviation, components must be permanently lightweight, strong and precise. We develop and manufacture flow-formed components for propulsion systems, landing gear and hydraulic applications that meet all these demands. The process enables rotationally symmetrical components with high dimensional accuracy, optimized wall thickness and excellent surface quality.

Whether drive shafts for helicopter tail rotors and aircraft engines, hydraulic cylinders, landing gear cylinders or actuator components: all parts are engineered for efficiency, load-bearing capacity and reliable function in demanding aerospace applications. This reduces weight, material consumption and manufacturing effort without compromising precision or performance.

HELICOPTER DRIVE SHAFTS

Because they are long and must be rotationally symmetrical, tail rotor drive shafts are predestined for flowforming. Made of titanium, stainless steel or aluminum and up to 4 meters in length, the shafts have wall thicknesses of 1 – 3 mm and must meet stringent specifications with regard to straightness and concentricity.

HYDRAULIC CYCLINDERS

Cylinder tubes and pistons with an integrated piston rod for landing gear cylinders and actuators for doors or other applications are made using stainless steel, such as 15 – 5 PH. The cold forming process reduces material loss by more than 60 % compared to conventional mechanical machining.