Aerospace specialist improves productivity and green credentials with pioneering tech
Lancashire aerospace specialist, Airframe Designs, says it can improve productivity and its environmental credentials with the introduction of new technology.
The Blackpool-based business has introduced a sophisticated moisture analyser which will help the company to meet the highest material specifications in the aerospace industry.
Garry Sellick, the company’s additive manufacturing manager, said: “This investment means we can accurately measure and control the moisture content of our material before starting manufacturing to ensure quality of the finished part.
“This technology will reduce the amount of waste we produce because we can be more certain early on in the process that parts will meet the stringent material properties required for parts produced in the aerospace industry.
“This will consequently reduce our emissions and help us align to our business goals of reducing net emissions to zero by 2050 in line with the global effort.”
He added: “We are continually improving and developing our processes within our operation and our customers can be reassured that we are committed to the very best quality standards.”
The investment in the moisture analyser addresses requirements in the aerospace industry specification AMS7100 which can be used by Airframe Designs for all materials being processed and 3D printed into parts for the interiors of modern aircraft.
This follows investment by the company in a second 3D printing machine, a state-of-the-art Stratasys Fortus 450, a new five-axis milling machine and new sophisticated resin printing technology to offer increased capability and quality of parts and tools for its increasing customer base.
Recent projects undertaken by Airframe Designs include the design and manufacture of several 3D-printed tooling fixtures to aid the installation of external sensors onto the fuselage of a special mission military aircraft and the integration of new systems into heavy lift drone platforms.
The company has also been responsible for the conceptual design at a platform level for new uncrewed air-systems, test rig and tooling for electric vehicle propulsion systems and, most recently, the design and analysis of operator consoles for a special mission aircraft.
