Innovative R&D work is putting the British Midlands at the forefront of specialised technology that is expected to benefit the global aerospace industry. The Paris show gets a first-hand look at results of this work today at a workshop organised by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA).
Building on the region’s deep-rooted precision engineering expertise, the research focuses on key areas of processing high-temperature alloys and composites, and the “more electric aircraft” initiative.
Five current projects involve 19 companies and two universities in the central England region. The technologies involved range from a fundamental joining process to a new application of known technology with applications in engine and actuation, manufacturing and design.
Exploitation
Underpinning the research is a two-year, e1 million aerospace technology exploitation programme (ATEP) supported by Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency, and run by MAA. ATEP supports the exploitation of promising new technology in line with the UK’s national aerospace technology strategy, says MAA technology manager Bob Newman.
“MAA believes the application of new technologies is fundamental to the competitiveness of aerospace in the Midlands, and this pioneering and innovative programme will lead to direct technology benefits for customers of future aircraft programmes,” he says.
University of Wolverhampton and HS Marston of Wolverhampton are leading a project to develop affordable and scalable diffusion bonding of aerospace components, while Marston is also leading a study into how heat exchangers operating at higher temperature can boost the efficiency of aero engines. Serck Aviation of Birmingham is heading up a project to support the cleaner aero engine through heat transfer surface development.
The use of composites in actuation gear box housings is a study led by Rojac Tooling Technologies of Birmingham, while Teer Coatings of Worcester heads research on forging tools using nano-engineering (FORTUNE), a process expected to improve productivity and reduce overall costs for aerofoil manufacture.
Source: Flight Daily News
