Aerospace firms get cash injection

AEROSPACE firms in the West Midlands are set to benefit from the second stage of a £1.5m programme designed to promote the development of new composite materials and technology.

With part funding from Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund, the Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (ATEP) is helping larger manufacturers work in partnership with both SMEs and universities on next generation aerospace programmes.

The Midlands accounts for around a quarter of the UK’s aerospace industry (by jobs and value) and a further 25% of these firms transfer their skills and expertise to the defence sector.

This contribution has grown by 5% in the last two years thanks to contracts won on defence programmes, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and Airbus A400M.

The first phase of ATEP launched in 2006 with company grants from AWM totalling £390,000. Five firms in the region were direct beneficiaries.

One manufacturer was Wolverhampton-based Goodrich Actuation Systems, which worked with a local SME to develop a wing-mounted actuator gear box housing. This was constructed in weight-saving composite materials and replaced the traditional aluminium die-casting.

Following tests, the product has been adopted into the Next Generation Composite Wing Programme, which is led by Airbus and part-funded by the UK’s Technology Strategy Board.

Wolverhampton-based HS Marston Aerospace – part of US company Hamilton Sundstrand Engine & Control Systems – has worked with a local SME to develop high temperature heat exchangers for aircraft engines, again constructed from new alloys.

By burning at higher temperatures, engine emissions can be reduced by up to 10%.

These results have led to HS Marston Aerospace becoming one of 10 partners on the Environmentally Friendly Engine Programme (EFE) launched by Rolls-Royce to develop greener engine technology for the future.

Another phase one project has seen Birmingham’s Meggitt Control Systems work with the University of Birmingham and two local SMEs – Arden Precision and PAB Coventry – to perfect a heat transfer system that improves heat exchanger efficiency.

The seven projects included in ATEP Phase II, which was implemented last year with £750,000 of grant funding, are set to deliver equally important results.

Headline developments include longer-life brakes, led by Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems, research by Dunlop Aircraft Tyres into innovative designs and an SME team working on new spring designs.

The latter project has brought together three SMEs – G&O Springs, Alloy Wire and Reliable Spring – to work in partnership with the Institute of Spring Technology to develop parts for BAE Systems and Aero Engine Controls.

Several novel materials will be tested for the first time during the project, with the potential for huge benefits to customers and SMEs alike.

Development of a new stronger aluminium alloy is being led by Aeromet of Worcester, working with Shropshire-based Grainger & Worrall and the University of Birmingham. The lead end user, Aero Engine Controls, is contributing valuable testing and validation support.

Another trio of SMEs – Indestructible Paint, Ashton & Moore and Clean Burner Systems – are aiming to remove hazardous elements from protective engine-surface coatings.

All projects in ATEP Phase II are part of a three and a half year development programme, and are expected to conclude towards the end of 2012.