Integration of non-traditional nacelle anti-icing and erosion protection technology to enable the manufacture of a composite engine inlet assembly, while improving acoustic attenuation and not compromising material durability. The improved inlet assembly will benefit aircraft performance through reduced drag.
Developing the UK’s capability in laser welding of titanium, project Oliver will bring the technology from TRL 5 to TRL 7, ready for exploitation by the consortium’s commercial partners. The new capability will initially be exploited via the replacement of traditional manufacturing techniques on existing aerospace parts by working with LeonardoMW and Bombardier Aerospace. Applications within non-aerospace markets have also been identified and will allow for new aerospace components to be designed and manufactured more cost-effectively. CAV will offer expertise in laser welding to implement cost savings and improved designs to the aerospace and other markets. The project will demonstrate, within the aerospace industry, that the maximum benefits of assembly time, labour costs, part count, weight reduction and environmental gains will be achieved.
ICEMART aims to develop a novel passive ice-repellent coating system, based on super-hydrophobic technology. Lead by CAV’s technology developers and part funded by Innovate UK, ICEMART comprises a global consortium. Using nanotechnology and built on patented ground-breaking technology ICEMART aims to overcome the well-known fragility of nanostructured coatings. ICEMART technology incorporates novel, multi-functional additives into conventional aviation coatings to make them highly repellent to water and ice whilst remaining durable. This development can have far-reaching impact across a wide range of sectors, including aviation and energy where it could: save hundreds of lives, eliminate the discharge of over 100 million litres of ground aircraft de-icing fluid, contribute to annual savings of £7bn in fuel and 80M tonnes of CO2 from aviation, and improve wind generation efficiency by 17%.
The TiFab project set out to develop and demonstrate Linear Friction Welding (LFW) technology as a new way of manufacturing aerospace quality components using near net shape titanium alloy with greater flexibility and higher production rates than are currently available. Capable of effective material deposition rates of 50kg/hour, together with excellent weld quality and process repeatability, LFW has the potential to be a game changing technology in this field. Led by CAV Systems, the £2.5m project progressed the technology required for cost effective LFW of titanium aero structures and developed this concept from its original position of TRL3 to TRL7 / MRL7, culminating in the production and testing of a relevant industrial demonstrator. The project completed successfully with the manufacture of the industrial demonstrator.