NationalCentre

The UK Government has opened two research centres in Coventry to accelerate the potential of 3D-printing in the aerospace segment.

Based at the existing Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the £60m Aerospace Research Centre and National Centre for Net Shape and Additive Manufacturing facilities were inaugurated by Business Minister Anna Soubry.

Coventry’s aerospace centre will support the companies developing new materials, including lightweight carbon fibre for aircraft, jet engines and civil helicopters, while the 3D-printing centre will be engaged in developing new products for aero-engines and aircraft landing gear.

The government also announced four new technology projects and launched a £10m competition for small businesses, to explore game-changing aerospace technologies.

Soubry said: "Government and industry are working together to keep Britain at the forefront of the global aerospace market.

"Government and industry are working together to keep Britain at the forefront of the global aerospace market."

"We are currently second only to the United States, but there is more to do and it is important that we continue to invest in R&D and develop ground-breaking technologies."

The four projects will be backed by £2.1bn commitment for aerospace R&D by the government and industry, under the guidance of Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI).

Airbus will receive £7.2m to study ways to eliminate imperfection on wings that cause drag, and the Meggitt-led consortium will be granted £5m to integrate advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things, for aircraft production.

Spirit AeroSystems, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and Aeromet will receive £6.4m to research automated assembly technologies, while UTC Aerospace Systems will be awarded £4.4m to set-up production lines for composite products.

Image: The Aerospace Research Centre and National Centre for Net Shape and Additive Manufacturing based at the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Photo: courtesy of MTC.