Public Funding for Sigmatex (UK) Limited

ASCEND is an industry led, cross-sector consortium brought together by GKN Aerospace, focussed on developing & accelerating UK composites capability to meet the requirement of single aisle, business jets & future mobility markets. ASCEND will develop the UK value chain in readiness for a step-change in use of lightweight structures, at high-rates. ASCEND brings new entrants, established small, high-growth & Tier-1 partners together to collaborate on delivering flexible automated capability. Connecting best in-class of talent, experience, & market access in one programme. ASCEND delivers UK capability for advanced, lightweight structures to meet demand in electric & hybrid propulsion aerospace structures.

The global automotive industry continues to face significant challenges in meeting the future needs of the mobility sector, such as improved _fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, electrification of power train, autonomous driving and connectivity._ One of the biggest opportunities in rising to these challenges comes through the selection of _the right materials in the right places_ within the vehicle. This multi-material approach, giving the design engineers the freedom to select the most appropriate material for a particular component is expected to be a major feature of automotive design in the future. _CFRP will play a significant part in that material selection_ due to its benefits of high strength and stiffness but with a much lower weight factor than alternative materials. As the mainstream automotive OEM's move increasingly in the direction of CFRP, the industry supply chain must respond to that challenge by demonstrating that it can supply _consistent quality parts, to the right performance level, at the rate level required and at a competitive price level_. Whilst much progress has been made on the technology side, the general view is that CFRP is still too expensive versus metallics, and with added complications in terms of CFRP component integration within the vehicle. It is therefore _necessary to reduce the cost difference between CFRP and metallic components if CFRP is to truly fulfil its potential as a lightweight material solution to serial Automotive._ _The objective of this project is:_ * _To develop an innovative high volume, low cost carbon fibre textile and material handling process that will provide a step change in achieving cost competitive CFRP parts for serial automotive applications._ * _To accelerate the development of a UK supply chain capable to support volume demand for composite components at a rate of \>50,000 units per year (per component)._ * _To deliver significant CO2 savings through creating an economically viable solution for the cost-effective use of composite parts in affordable cars._ * _Create many high skill level jobs that will strengthen the UK's position as a technology leader in the fields of automotive design and manufacture._

This project matures key technologies that will reduce costs to the operator; save fuel; improve ground operations; simplify manufacturing and simplify maintenance. The Project also defines how these Technologies will be deployed together on a future Wing/LG configuration for the first time successfully. Airbus will work with multiple partners and sub-contractors to mature these technologies, and prepare a definition of the Future Landing Gear. Each technology provides one or more benefits: New load/torque sensing technologies coupled with new ground control algorithms will limit structural loads during braking and save weight in the wing and the landing gear structure, thereby saving fuel. New composite components if suitably deployed could further contribute to Landing Gear weight reduction and fuel saving. The new ground control algorithms will simplify pilot workload on the ground, and ease operation under failure conditions. New robust sensing technology will improve basic reliability of brake temperature and tyre pressure sensing and enable a faster return to service in the event of an overload condition. New sensors and wheel modifications will enable dispatch with hotter brakes and achieve a shorter aircraft Turn Around Time. New Landing Gear materials which are corrosion resistant will reduce the cost of major overhaul and increase the time between them whilst the introduction of new maintenance tools will speed up and improve the servicing of the Shock Absorber. The Future Landing Gear project will mature each of these new items so that they can be deployed as necessary to existing aircraft programmes and also work out how they will be deployed together on the Landing Gear in a new aircraft application for the first time with minimal risk.

The BAM project researches the use of 3D woven composite material for application to aircraft structures and potentially for use in other sectors in particular the automotive sector. The expected benefits include lower weight structures and reduced manufacturing and assembly costs. The project also considers the design requirements and potential blockers in developing the technology. Suitable candidate structures will be investigated and the associated FE and other predictive software will be developed, delivering an engineering tool set. Manufacturing processes will be assessed and used to manufacture various elements of a typical test pyramid to compare the predictions with the actual performance and to begin thinking about the quality control aspects leading to the route to certification. The overall objectives of the project are to develop the complete process from design to the manufacture of 3D woven composite fabric components thereby enhancing the UK supply chain in the technologies required to deliver more innovative composite structures.

To transfer composites manufacturing and testing expertise to exploit the growing market for dry fibre 3D woven preforms.

Awaiting Public Summary

A supply chain grouping working under the North West Aerospace Alliance's Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence programme has identified the commercialisation and industrialisation of 3D textile technology as a key priority for the advanced composite sector in the UK. INTERTEX is an Research and Development Project, supported by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), that aims to provide a step change in the competitiveness of the UK composites industry to produce high performance, high added value, hollow structural parts such as engine nacelles, UAV fuselages with tech transfer opportunities to other sectors such as wind turbine blades and bus/train carriages. The project consortium is being led by the NWAA, and includes industry partners Aircelle, Sigmatex, Kaman Composites, Hyde Group and Trelleborg Offshore UK, and the Academia Partner North West Composites Centre (through the University of Manchester).

The project will develop enhanced, lightweight, cost effective multi-layer/multi-material structures to resist shock-pressure impulse and impacts from land mine and free air explosive events. Increased occupant survivability is considered against blast and ballistic threats, including behind armour spall effects. The solution, based on a back-bone of fibre composite materials for light structural weight, will be augmented with tailored interlayers of shock dissipation, energy absorption and high failure strain materials. Dedicated models will be developed for optimised design and material selection, based on detailed material and failure characterisations. The project builds on partners’ blast/ballistic knowledge and modelling capability. The main innovations derive from novel multiple layered material solutions optimised by leading edge modelling tools.

Awaiting Public Summary

Awaiting Public Summary

Awaiting Public Summary

Awaiting Public Summary