Acoustic panels dampen jet engine noise

Eckel Industries manufactures acoustic products and sound deadening enclosures of all shapes, types and sizes. A major project for the company was the construction of acoustic sound panels to dampen sound vibrations from jets as they fire up or run up at the Miami International Airport. The challenge was to fabricate acoustic panels strong enough to support 30,000 ft-lb of jet engine thrust and withstand the heat of the engine exhaust while containing enough acoustic material to deaden sound. This was met by using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process. The details of the application of the GMAW process are discussed.