Public Funding for Bryant Symons Technologies Limited

Bryant Symons Technologies Ltd is a micro-SME manufacturer of ultra-precision machinery and has a long history of machine tool development in the aviation industry. This project, Aircraft Window Advanced Refurbishment Machine (WARM), is a highly innovative solution to a long-standing problem in the aerospace industry. Prospective customer research, patent and market searches have unearthed competitors which use outdated and/or expensive methods but none are comparable to WARM in terms of cost effectiveness, productivity, projected reliability and environmental friendliness. The diamond machining technology developed in this project and applied within WARM is unique. A report on Acrylic Window Crazing by influential senior management at Lufthansa clearly states the benefits of diamond machining over the currently used abrasive processes. The market is ripe for a shake-up as airline operational running costs are under constant pressure whilst adhering to strict compliance standards and procedures. WARM will offer airlines and MRO customers many technical and operational advantages while delivering highly significant cost benefits and offer Bryant Symons a commercially desirable, scalable and exploitable new product/service.

WARM (Windows- Advanced Refurbishment Machine) Bryant Symons Technologies Ltd is a manufacturer of ultra-precision machinery and has a long history of diamond machine tool development in the aviation industry. If successful, WARM would accurately and evenly skim the surface of aircraft passenger windows using a diamond tool, the aim is to produce an optical finish in the 10-20 nanometre range. This compares to a window’s standard abrasive finish of around 50 nanometres whilst greatly improving on efficiency and cost. Our recently completed TSB Proof of Market project confirmed a demand in the aerospace market for a Window Refurbishment Machine which is simpler to use, more automated and more environmentally friendly than the commonly used hand abrasive techniques. Patent searches and discussions with potential customers have established that there is no other comparable machine on the market today. The TSB Proof of market grant has enabled us to identify several key areas of focus: - Removing chemicals from coolant- complying with incoming REACH regulations on the reduction of toxic chemicals in the aviation industry - Improving the thermal stability of the machines slideways and therefore overall accuracy - Automating the process therefore reducing process time and cost - Increasing window service life compared with existing techniques, thus reducing window scrappage This project designs, builds and tests initial prototype sub-assemblies to carry out feasibility studies and testing to provide basic proof of technical feasibility of WARM. We will also look to protect our intellectual property with a patent. The positive financial impact from the project would increase our revenue significantly over the next five years, making funds available for future R&D projects. We would also be able to recruit and train skilled staff to create an in-house innovation capability, in turn accelerating our IP creation and stimulating future growth

Bryant Symons Technologies Ltd is a leading manufacturer of ultra-precision machinery with clients including major airlines, defence and multinational corporations. Through informal discussions with two existing customers, we understand there is a demand in the market for a Window Refurbishment Machine which is commercially attractive, simpler to use, more automated and more environmentally friendly. We understand that such a machine would also create a wider market than at present. We have identified various innovative technologies to design a new type of machine which will allow us to attack this market. The technology innovations we are proposing address the following key issues: - reduced ecological impact as no chemicals are required - improved thermal stability and therefore accuracy of the slide way - automation reduces process time and cost. - improved window life after refurb The attention is firmly on “green” issues – reducing process time, cost and waste. There is no similar machine on the market today. Preliminary market investigation shows that the potential market is a large one and if this project is successful Bryant Symons would be able to increase its revenue ten-fold over the next 5 years, recruiting extra high-value added staff and increasing its own R&D spend on associated and other brand new technologies it has in the pipe-line. So this project could create a strong base from which to accelerate our IP and future growth. Bryant Symons has christened such a system, ‘WARM’ (Windows - Advanced Refurbishment Machine) but the details of how this could be done, technically and commercially, need to be explored. If successful, WARM would have a significant market impact and its users will see significant operational and financial benefits. Quantifying these benefits to airlines and MROs are the critical issues to be assessed through this project