MTC aims to boost aerospace manufacturing

National programme will help firms develop advanced manufacturing techniques

The Manufacturing Technology Centre is working with aerospace companies to develop new manufacturing techniques which will preserve engineering jobs across the sector.

The work is part of a national programme funded by the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) aimed at encouraging a culture of innovation in the sector.

The programme links MTC engineers with aerospace companies to encourage the advanced manufacturing techniques necessary to develop the next generations of aero-engines and aircraft.

One project has seen MTC engineers work with precision engineering firm Arrowsmith and the Coventry and Warwickshire Aerospace Forum to develop new aerospace thread-rolling processes. Thread-rolling is a cold forging process which can be performed on any ductile metal to produce smooth and precise threads.

Arrowsmith managing director Jason Aldridge said: “As an SME, it’s often difficult to embrace a culture of R&D, but I believe there’s a massive market opportunity if it can be achieved. Government and European funding is often seen as something which is too time-consuming to apply for, and too bureaucratic. 

"NATEP, funded by the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, has been a completely different experience. The NATEP technology managers from Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA), have helped us pull the project together, and worked with us to set criteria, ensure our paperwork was correct, identify what we needed, and helped us find it. They didn’t push us.”

A new research centre on the MTC’s Ansty Park site will provide a national facility for aerospace research. MTC engineers will work with experts from the world’s major aerospace companies and their supply chains on projects.

The Aerospace Technology Institute provided £15.2 million funding for the new facility through the government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Innovate UK. This investment has been matched by funding from industry.

NATEP technology manager for the Midlands, Peter Knight, said: “The advanced manufacturing techniques being developed through this project have enormous potential in the global marketplace. 

"It’s so important that we support small manufacturers as they bring innovative technologies to the skies, so we can maintain the UK supply chain’s standing as one of the most competitive and innovative in the world.”

NATEP provides match-funding and mentoring to smaller aerospace companies to work collaboratively across the supply chain and with an end customer, to help bring new technologies to market. The final call for NATEP funding is open until 14 May, companies looking to get involved can find out more at http://www.midlandsaerospace.org.uk/natep.