PLANE TALKSUMMER 2019

PLUS:Paris Air Show details | The latest on SC21 | Member News | The latest from The Isle of Man | What’s happening with NATEP

Paris Air Show Special

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Please forward all content for future editions of Plane Talk to our editors at Freshfield, Ben Hewes and Paul Tustin.

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YOUR CONTENT

02 Chairman’s Statement

03 Chief Executive’s Statement

04 NWAA Annual Conference

08 Paris Air Show Update

10 Member News

12 SC21 Competitiveness & Growth News

15 Member News

16 NATEP News

18 Member News

20 Isle of Man News

23 Member News

27 Key Dates

28 Member News

31 Meet the Board

CONTENTSNWAA Chairman’s summer statementBy Neil McKay

The political climate in the U.K. continues to be perplexing, evidencing a Brexit uncertainty at least until October and more likely beyond pervading a stagnancy in government policy and economic impact that will be prevalent throughout this year.

Meanwhile, more globally, there have been encouraging market upsurges in the U.S. and China but this is coupled with increasing volatility and trade tensions between these two massive trading forces. The imposition of tariffs and other punitive measures create uncertainty to the negotiated outcome but will ultimately conclude with positive results over the mid to long term in my opinion.

The aerospace industry is greatly influenced by global trade and therefore is a major recipient of healthy trading climates that should emerge from this battle of wills between the two blocks.

The Paris Air Show 2019 is therefore taking place at a crucial time in geo-political terms and is well placed in bringing the global aerospace community together enabling new partnerships and growing existing relationships to take advantage of the opportunities that will inevitably avail themselves beyond this volatile period.

As usual for the largest show on the calender, all of the major sectors of aerospace will be present both military and civil, weaponry, systems and engines. The business rivalry between Airbus and Boeing will be in sharp focus given the recent difficulties experiences by the latter who undoubtedly will come back strongly at this event.

The supply chain for all aerospace business lines will be a crucial area of attention this year with all of the primes concerned with abilities to hit and maintain challenging rates whilst reducing costs.

Some of the major players will be actively looking to establish new supplier relationships whilst others are questioning existing ones and so the opportunities for competitive and innovative companies is clearly there.

I was particularly pleased with how the North West Cluster collaborated at Farnborough last year and we are keen to improve on that progressive approach when we display our talents and attributes in Paris at this gathering.

There will undoubtedly be a lot of attention and interest in our group of companies because of the national lead we have collectively taken in the S.C.21 C & G programme. This was starkly evident last year but that attention will be even more focussed in Paris since we are a year further down that road and no other region or grouping have started that journey with significance yet. So there will be interest in how we go about our excellence deployment successes and failures etc.

The region’s primes have been extremely supportive for this event and will be strongly represented on the North West stand throughout the event. They will meet with the supply chain companies and assist with the outward display of the NW Cluster of Excellence to the global community through our S.C.21 C&G activity including their experiences of it.

The regional authority are also present to support these business thrusts. Lancashire County Council are always a keen and able organisation in pursuance of our collective business ambitions at major events such as this.

So, all in all we are supremely ready to step up our activities from last year’s high and build on the way we can demonstrate to the global aerospace community our world class and collaborative approach to excellence that delivers competitive and innovative technology and performance to our customers to the highest standards of quality and satisfaction.

OUR STAKEHOLDERS

The second quarter of 2019 is going to be an exciting period for the Northwest Aerospace Alliance.

We held our sixth Annual Conference recently to be followed by our exhibition at the Paris International Airshow 2019, the world’s largest aerospace trade show.

The theme for our annual NWAA conference was ‘UK Aerospace and Defence 2019 - Preparing for a New Era.’

This conference explored how the UK Aerospace and Defence Sectors in 2019 will be shaped by new geo-political pressures, the speed of technology and innovation and the need to maintain a competitive advantage over the global competition that would like to win a share of the work from the UK.

We were delighted to be able to bring keynote speakers from global customers such as BAE Systems, Leonardo and Bombardier.

Our guests also learnt from arguably the world’s foremost consultancy, McKinsey & Company, how they think the aerospace and defence markets will be impacted by the pressures of Brexit, Trump and global trade.

Of course, NWAA is busily preparing for Paris International Air Show 2019 at Le Bourget. NWAA will again be hosting a range of exhibitors on the North West Aerospace Alliance stand.

In my view, following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, it is more important than ever that companies develop new customers in international markets whilst working hard to maintain strong relationships with our European colleagues.

We will be working harder than ever to connect companies with new customers by using our networks to bring global customers to our stand.

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Prime aerospace and defence companies in our region have committed to attending the show with us. As such NWAA will be hosting procurement representatives from BAE Systems, MBDA Missile Systems, Rolls Royce and Safran who will hold one-to-one meetings with our exhibitors on the NWAA stand.

It is also important that the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership and Aerospace Lancashire will be attending the show with us, to identify opportunities to support companies in the region in terms of investment, trade, technology and skills.

Furthermore, NWAA will work closely with Lancashire to look for opportunities for new inward investment to the region. NWAA will be attending the most important Aerospace event in Europe this year, with all of its stakeholders, with a strong message that the North West’s aerospace and defence sector is most certainly ‘open for business.’

We are delighted to hear that UK Government will support the UK Aerospace and Defence Supply Chain with almost £25 Million of funding for both NATEP 3 and the SC21 Competitiveness & Growth Programme.

NATEP (the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme) will receive its third round of funding to support UK Aerospace Suppliers with funding for technology projects.

NWAA has led the pilot programme for the SC21 Competitiveness & Growth Programme to prove the process (whilst supporting our members) and we will be ideally positioned to support more companies as this new national programme launches this summer. Both of these programmes receive huge amounts of help from our regional Primes and, on behalf of NWAA members, I would like to thank them for all of their support.

As ever, if any of you would like me to visit your facilities, as it is the best way for me to get to know your organisation and represent you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you to all those who attended our sixth Annual Conference and visited us in Paris for this hugely important year in our industry.

By Dr David Bailey

NWAA Chief Executive’s summer statement

The NWAA welcomes the following new members…KTL ToolingBurnley, Lancashire

www.ktltooling.com

Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

stfc.ukri.org

plane talk summer 2019@NWAerospace 3plane talk summer 2019 www.aerospace.co.uk2

NWAA Conference: a new era for aerospace

NWAA News NWAA News

NWAA Members gathered at the Annual Conference held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel on 16th May.

The conference was themed around ‘Preparing for a New Era’ and explored how the UK aerospace and defence sectors in 2019 will be shaped by new geo-political pressures, the speed of technology and innovation and the need to maintain a competitive advantage over global competition.

During the morning session, the conference heard the very latest global aerospace and defence market forecasts from Dominic Maxwell, Associate Partner for McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s most respected consultancies.

Dominic provided an excellent overview of the hot topics in the aerospace industry ranging from how the supply chain navigates the turbulence in the demand for aircraft through to winning the war for new talent.

This year’s Platinum Sponsor – MSP – in a presentation delivered by Peter Hammond, Technical Director, focussed on ‘Breaking the Mould in Aerospace Manufacture.’

Peter gave a fascinating presentation on the changes the supply chain needs to make in order to manufacture parts at ever increasing rates.

Simon Jewell, Strategy Director for BAE Systems – Air, presented on ‘Future Fit: Preparing for the 2020s and Beyond.’

Simon’s presentation covered an overview of the business and its key programmes including the new Team Tempest programme. Simon strongly emphasised that a partnering approach is required to ensure the delivery of a cost-effective series of solutions that creates new opportunities for the supply chain.

Of particular interest, the conference learned that the aerospace and defence sectors would need to increase the pace of change.Ideagen’s Senior Sales Consultant, Greig Duncan, presented to the conference as one of the 2019 Gold Sponsors, on the topic of ‘Taking a Risk-Based Approach to Supply Chain Management.’

Greig showed how risk is an important aspect of every business and, through a unique example of an extreme mountaineering challenge, how risk can be managed.

Nichola Robinson, Supply Chain Director at Bombardier gave her presentation, ‘Supply Chain – Collaboration for a Competitive Future.’ Nichola provided a very positive view of Bombardier’s current position, with solid market positions, unique capabilities, and a strong order book.

Nichola was confident that they would see strong growth in the Aero-structures business with the market forecast increasing from $50 Billion to $61 Billion over a 10 year period.

Glyn Complin, UK Engineering Director at Heroux-Devtek, the second of this year’s Gold Sponsors, outlined the ‘Challenges for Future Landing Gear Development’ in his presentation to the Conference.

Glyn described the technical challenges of designing and manufacturing landing gear systems. Of particular interest, was the insight the conference received in the challenge of moving from traditional systems to more electric landing gear systems.

Delegates heard from Simon Barker, Vice President Government Affairs at Leonardo whose presentation ‘Leonardo: Prosperity Built on Intelligent Partnerships.’

Simon gave a fascinating overview of the breadth and depth of capability within the Leonardo business, one of the world’s top 10 aerospace and defence businesses.Simon gave the conference into the innovations taking place within the helicopter sector including tilt-rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

“The conference went very well with good speakers and a good mix of interaction. I particularly liked the Mentimeter instant polling app”

Thank you to our conference sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

“The NWAA Annual Conference always provides great networking opportunities and a range of insightful presentations from industry leaders.’’

Quote from delegate

Quote from delegate

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He described the increasing drive towards dual-use technology and the innovations transforming the future of vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Of most interest was Simon’s view of how Leonardo will develop competitive advantage through intelligent partnering with a wide range of stakeholders, citing the example of how the South West’s aerospace and defence industry is collaborating around innovation and skills.

Following a buffet lunch in the extensive exhibition area, the conference then took part in an interactive session led by the North West Aerospace Alliance. Delegates were split up into small groups with facilitators and scribes and were posed a series of questions that were discussed in the groups.

The discussion was themed around supply chain performance, supply chain structure and the increasing digitalisation of the supply chain. The interactive sessions helped individuals to network by forcing discussion within the groups and with facilitators who engaged everyone in the discussions.

Each group provided feedback to the whole conference, again improving networking and also generating an interesting debate about the key conference theme – Preparing for a New Era. The volunteers to feedback from each group did an excellent job engaging everyone in the theme.

The sixth NWAA Annual conference was closed using a mobile phone-based real time voting platform to ask the audience for their feedback on the conference. It was clear that the attendees voted overwhelmingly that the conference had met or exceeded their objectives, and also that the new interactive style of conference was supported.

“This year’s annual conference was a huge success – more opportunities for networking and interaction through the instant polling app”

Quote from delegate

“The NWAA annual conference is a diary essential, interesting, thought provoking and excellent for networking with industry peers.”

Quote from delegate

NWAA News NWAA News

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The 53rd Paris International Air Show will take place in less than a month, and the NWAA has ensured members attending the show will be flying the flag for the region.

This year the NWAA has organised for the presence on the stand of representatives from some of the leading Prime aerospace manufacturing businesses.

These include BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Safran and MBDA Missile Systems and will mean NWAA exhibitors can arrange exclusive one-to-one meetings with these key players in the sector.

The NWAA is also hosting a networking event on Tuesday, June 18 from 3pm at its location in Hall 2B, Stand F172. Any members wishing to join the NWAA at this event are welcome to attend.

David Bailey, NWAA Chief executive will also be available at the NWAA stand throughout the week.

The opposite NWAA members had confirmed their attendance at the Paris Air Show as Plane Talk went to print:

Oxley is a world class provider of high performance LED lighting for military and commercial aerospace applications. The range comprises of a suite of external lighting including navigation, anti-collision, taxi and landing lights. Oxley designs and manufactures LED Bulb Replacements including a PMA approved Par 64 LED Bulb Replacement, and Par 46 and 36 units. These offer operators significantly reduced costs, increased operational lifetime & improved dispatch rates.

A&G have over 30 years’ experience in the manufacture and supply of fully treated precision machined components, manufactured from a broad range of raw materials, supplying OEMs, and Tiers 1 customers in both military and civil aerospace programs. A&G are a first year SC 21 Gold Award Winning Supplier and following substantial capital investment in increased capability and recent acquisitions A&G are able to offer an Integrated Manufacturing and Surface Treatments Capability. A&G are committed to taking the business to a new level within the industry and are strategically placed to dedicate capacity linked with Customers Long Term Agreements.

Aerospace Lancashire is showcasing opportunities available in the UK’s largest concentration of aerospace and engineering companies. Lancashire is number one in the UK for aerospace activity with over 500 aerospace supply companies and 13,000 employed making it the world’s 4th largest aerospace cluster.

BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Safran Nacelles are located in Lancashire and the world’s most advanced UAV, the Taranis, is also built in the county. The Lancashire Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Cluster of three enterprise zones across four sites incorporates both the Samlesbury Aerospace and Warton Aviation Enterprise Zones adjacent to BAE Systems’ operations.

WEC is a medium-sized independent company offering a unique civil and military aircraft systems expert capability founded on decades of experience in the fluid, mechanical, electrical and avionics systems departments of aircraft design office organisations. Offices in Manchester and Bristol. AS9100D accredited.

NATEP is an AGP initiative led by ADS. It is a UK-wide programme delivered with the support of Regional Aerospace Alliance organisations in England (Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, Midlands Aerospace Alliance, North West Aerospace Alliance and West of England Aerospace Forum) and in the devolved regions by Invest Northern Ireland, Scottish Enterprise and the Welsh Government.

NATEP supports companies in aerospace to develop innovative technologies, in collaborative Projects, supported by higher tier companies. This is enabled through grant funding, with technical and management support to help companies accelerate their technology development towards market readiness

Silcoms Ltd is the United Kingdom’s leading supplier of machined rings to the aero engine industry. The company manufactures, using lean manufacturing techniques and the latest CNC 5 axis technology, rings, casings, seals, shrouds and segments for customers in Europe and Asia.

We specialise in producing complex ring products under AS9100 approval, made from nickel ‘superalloys’, titanium, stainless steel, and aluminium. The company’s core competence is for components in the size range 400 mm to 1800 mm diameter. Silcoms offers a complete service including, design and procurement of forgings, kitting and the control of specialist, NADCAP approved, treatments and sub-tiers.

Unilathe is a leading supplier of high integrity machined, fabricated and engineered products and services to quality global markets.

Unilathe completed the NMCL assessment in Q1 2018 to validate the robustness of the existing internal business excellence plan 10:TEN, the program has enabled Unilathe to better measure Quality, Cost, Delivery, Flexibility, Technology and the customers experience. The program enables Unilathe to apply best practices across all sectors, leading to greater stability and sustained growth for the company

Unilathe’s mission is to deliver cost effective engineering excellence, on time and in full, driving industry standards in partnership with our chosen customers

Teledyne CML Composites is a specialist manufacturer of composite components and assemblies for commercial and defence aerospace customers.

We are an established manufacturer with an excellent track record in the on-time supply of high quality composite components to OEM’s and Tier1’s throughout the world, with all parts adhering to customer specific approvals as well as NADCAP for composites and NDT.

Our aim at Velocity Composites is very simple: to reduce the operational costs of our customers by providing engineered kits that reduce all forms of waste from the composites supply chain, including material efficiency, process time, excess stock, logistics and part-to-part variation. This allows our customers to focus on their core business of part manufacture and meet the global challenges around new aircraft programmes, aircraft production rate increases and the cost challenges around the volume growth in aerospace composite materials.

Hyde Group is a leading engineering service provider specialising in design and manufacture solutions. Offering a complete range of services from discrete work packages to full turnkey solutions, Hyde is trusted by the world’s most prestigious OEMs and tier one suppliers across a range of highly regulated industries.

Established in 1968, Hyde Group is a privately-owned UK based international business with access to more than 20 discrete manufacturing facilities. Our multi-skilled workforce consists of over 1400 technical personnel, enabling us to offer access to a flexible and comprehensive service.

Flying the flag at the Paris air show

Paris Air Show Update

Oxley Group

A&G Precision

Aerospace Lancashire, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Ltd

Woodford Engineering Consultancy (UK) Limited

NATEP

Silcoms Ltd

Unilathe Ltd

Teledyne CML

Velocity Composites

Hyde Group

Paris Air Show Update

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Kaman Tooling is under new ownership following a deal that saw it break away from American aerospace group Kaman Corporation.

Now operating as KTL Tooling, the specialist manufacture is part of an enlarged organisation which includes G Parker Aero Tooling Solutions. Both businesses are spearheaded and wholly-owned by Accrington-based Michael Parker.

He is also joined by new non-executive chairman Dave Roberts, who brings significant industry experience to the role and has developed a range of specialist tools for the manufacture of complex aircraft parts for the A350, F-35, Typhoon, A320, Learjet and A340 among others.

KTL Tooling operates from a purpose-built 64,000 sq ft manufacturing facility on Innovation Drive in Burnley and employs more than 60 engineers and support staff. It serves the likes of BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and GKN Aerospace.

Michael Parker said: “A history of innovation binds KTL Tooling and G Parker Aero Tooling Solutions, and this was a key driver behind the takeover.

“Creating a single group brings a significant breadth of technical ability that sets us apart from our competitors, ultimately supporting both business’s growth plans and the evolving needs of our customers.”

“Tooling was one of the many specialisms under the Kaman banner and we are focused on enhancing KTL Tooling’s manufacturing capability with its relevant approvals.

“We still work closely with Kaman on a preferred supplier basis, whilst ensuring we maintain the same high levels of innovation, service and support for our entire client base.”

KTL Tooling will officially launch the new business at June’s Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, where it will be part of the Northwest Aerospace Alliance’s show presence.

The business will still enjoy preferred supplier status with Kaman, and their composites site, based at India Mill in Darwen, remains part of the wider US corporation.

KTL Tooling under new ownership

NWAA Member News

Bespoke Turnkey Tooling Solutions

www.ktltooling.comsales@ktltooling.com 07780 701894

KTL Tooling Ltd, 1 Innovation Drive, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 2FT UK

See us at the Paris Air Show

Contact us on 07780 701894 to

arrange a meetingKTL Tooling is a centre of excellenceand a global leader in tooling design and manufacture for civil and defence programmes, including fixed wing and rotary applications.

Congleton-based Heamar has introduced an alternative to the traditional electrical harness building method.

Heamar is a provider of high quality general tooling, specialist tooling, components and lighting solutions to markets including aerospace, MRO, industrial, rail, defence and motorsport.

Heamar is highlighting the benefits of a new product, the EasyWiring board from Toulouse, France-based Laselec.

Planes, trains, cars and ships contain thousands of wires that connect their various electrical systems through an electrical wire harness.

The manufacturing of this wire harness is a monumental and complex task. Technicians have to deal with a plethora of assembly instructions that help aid in locating the appropriate wires, cutting them to size and connecting them to the proper components.

Currently, in the electrical harness building process, technicians typically use wooden nail boards and large paper drawings.

In many cases mistakes are made due to wrong information, a misunderstanding of instructions, improper training and the human error that accompanies any manual process.

Some of the more typical errors made during the construction of the harness can be traced back to simple mistakes such as: a lack of preparation, the use of inadequate equipment, mismatching of hardware due to accumulation of wrong data, improper harness layout or even the incorrect practice of a technique or tool.

The more manual a process is the chance of human error increases. A double-quality check is required to root out potential errors. Unfortunately, this adds to the time and productivity lost along the way.

Electrical harness manufacturers have been searching for solutions to reduce production time and related errors.

Laselec, located in Toulouse in France, has developed an alternative to the traditional harness building method: EasyWiring interactive harness boards.

This innovative solution brings modernisation to electrical harness building through the use of software that guides the operator through the entire harness assembly process. Benefits of this system are readily realised and include increased productivity, reduction in training time and best yet, traceability. EasyWiring even reduces the risk of an error and trims the time spent on prototyping.

The EasyWiring interactive harness assembly board introduces features including EasyTouch, reducing complexity of routing operations and harness manufacturing control, and Continuity Test Mode which allows an operator to perform a continuity test on a connector during the harness assembly process by connecting it to the EasyTouch test unit.

Heamar is able to offer demonstrations of Laselec’s new EasyWiring board at its new premises in Congleton.

Heamar introduces Laselec’s easywiring interactive harness boards

NWAA Member News

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North West SC21 Competiveness and Growth Aerospace Cluster of Excellence

Benchmark your Competitiveness and Growth

SC21 Competitiveness & Growth – A national and cross sector programme:

What the ACE Members say:

The Cluster of Excellence companies continue to make steady progress through their NMCL assessments and improvement plans and utilise the collaborative approach that being members of the Aerospace Cluster of Excellence enables them to have.

As part of this collaborative approach and following the success of the cluster at Farnborough International, we are pleased to confirm that (at the time of going to print) the following members of the Cluster are again collaborating together and will be attending the Paris Air-show as the NW SC21 Competitiveness and Growth Aerospace Cluster of Excellence:

• A&G Precision • Silcoms• Teledyne CML• Unilathe• Velocity Composites

This group of companies will represent not only the ACE but also join the wider NWAA members attending in representing and promoting the NW Aerospace sector to an International audience.

Do you know how competitive your business really is? Do you want to know where your customers believe you are in line with your peers? The NMCL assessment measures all elements we think contribute to competitiveness and growth:

• Quality• Delivery• Cost• Technology• Flexibility• Customer Experience

The NW SC21 C&G programme is open to all NWAA members, not only will you undertake the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Level (NMCL) assessment but you will also be able to join the Aerospace Cluster of Excellence (ACE).

ACE combines the benefit of being involved with a nationally recognised programme, and the support and guidance that NWAA has become renowned for from our ASCE/ASCE2 Programmes

Companies can join the ACE to support you through your SC21 C&G National Manufacturing Competitiveness Level (NMCL) assessment and enjoy benefits which include:

• Members of the pilot are being assessed formally, and developing a business case and improvement plan to improve their competitiveness

• Companies are benefitting from the NW steering group review process supported by key stakeholders (ADS, SMMT, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Safran and Boeing) and the valuable feedback they provide

• Companies are benefitting from mentoring provided by senior representatives of the key customers (typically 2 days per month)

• New business development opportunities are being created from new relationships and new ways of working

• Companies are seeing opportunities to collaborate on technology development

• NWAA is marketing the North West Pilot nationally and internationally.

There is an annual membership cost of £5,695 to join the ACE, plus the cost* of the NMCL assessment. For more information on the ACE and how you can join, please contact Catherine Toon via catherine.toon@aerospace.co.uk or 01772 648800.

Following the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) announcement of its selection of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Levels (NMCL) programme as the mechanism to deliver the Government’s national supplier competitiveness and productivity improvement initiative, as outlined in its Industrial Strategy, and Automotive and Aerospace Sector Deals.

NMCL Automotive, delivered by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the programme for the automotive sector has in recent weeks received the green light from BEIS which enables them to make use of £16m of government funding to develop sustainable and internationally competitive UK supply chains.

Following this announcement, it is anticipated that NMCL Aerospace will receive its funding green light imminently.

“Velocity have been involved in the SC21 C & G programme for over 12 months, the programme through assessment and discussion/feedback has help guided us to introduce a new policy deployment and integrated business planning process and the structured improvements derived from this. The company working as part of a Cluster allows us to learn through sharing relative information and collectively receive taster training delivered by Industry Forum. All of the various activities on the SC21 C & G programme will make us more equipped to meet the ongoing business challenges by being competitive and growing the business to meet our customers and shareholders expectations.”

Brian Hynes, Engineering & NPI Manager at Teledyne CML, voiced one of the common pieces of feedback we have received to date about the NMCL assessment:

“The customer feedback element of the SC21 C&G program has shown what’s deemed important, and focused our strong customer relationships.”

David Fellows, CEO of Senior Aerospace Weston, echoed the value of the customer benchmarking element of the NMCL Assessment:

Paul Atkinson, Unilathe Business Development Manager, who undertook the NMCL assessment in Q1 2018 via the Automotive sector:

“To validate the robustness of the existing internal business excellence plan 10:TEN, the program has enabled Unilathe to better measure Quality, Cost, Delivery, Flexibility, Technology and the customers experience.

The program enables Unilathe to apply best practices across all sectors, leading to greater stability and sustained growth for the company. Unilathe’s mission is to deliver cost effective engineering excellence, on time and in full, driving industry standards in partnership with our chosen customers.”

Matt Conway, UK Continuous Improvement Manager, Kaman UK, confirms the

“Shared best practise with SC21C&G group and good insight into projects currently being worked is a significant benefit to being members of the ACE.

The assessment structure with the feedback loop from the customer, highlighting where there may be potential gaps is an Improvement opportunity. Having regular reviews and meet and greets with SC21 C&G team along with an breakdown of how the wider industry and market is performing is having a positive impact on our organisation.“

Clive Winby, Commercial Director at Silcoms, reiterates Paul’s comments:

“The independent benchmarking within SC21 Competitiveness and Growth has enabled us to take a critical look at ourselves and our processes; from it we have been able to set priorities for improvement. We have also found the sharing of best practice amongst the companies on the scheme to be very beneficial.”

Jon Bridges CEO of Velocity Composites PLC

Aerospace Cluster of Excellence

“For me the customer feedback is priceless!”

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Kaman UK has invested more than £1m in a new chemical treatment line which will deliver surface treatment techniques to the aerospace industry.

Kaman UK team celebrated this investment with live demonstrations to the industry, highlighting this new capability for its Darwen site.

Christopher Morris, Kaman UK’s Managing Director, said: “This is a significant stage in the development of the Darwen site which will bring extensive benefits to our customers. There is a huge demand for treatments capability in the industry and this line will deliver an efficient and cost-effective solution.”

The new line is computer-controlled with fully automated loading, immersion and transfer capabilities through the 3ft, 5ft and 8ft baths.

Kaman is seeking NADCAP accreditation for the line and expects to secure it by the end of the year.

The line already includes NADCAP approved Penetrant Flaw Detection Plant and Spray/ Bake Paint and Primer Equipment.

The Kaman team will demonstrate the capabilities of the new treatment line with a series of presentations to more than 75 key industry figures.

Kaman’s range of special processes is expanded through the new line and includes chromic acid anodise (CAA), chemical conversion coating (Alocrom 1200), acid pickle and clean of titanium, vac blast, zinc spray, welding and paint finishing.

Plans are also in place to introduce Tartaric/Sulphuric Anodising (TSA) to further strengthen Kaman’s surface treatments capability. TSA is a replacement technology adopted by the aerospace industry to meet with EU mandates for the reduction of hazardous materials in the working environment (REACH), whilst giving comparable levels of corrosion protection and coating quality.

Kaman will be exhibiting at the Paris Air Show in the US pavilion, Hall 3, Stand D118.

Manchester’s EDM Ltd has been awarded the AS9100D quality certification.

The certification is recognised worldwide and demonstrates an organisation’s compliance to the highest of standards within the aviation, space and defence industries. Compliance and/or regulation to AS9100D is a common condition for doing business for many organisations in these aerospace and defence markets.

EDM Ltd already holds ISO 9001:2015. However, in response to customer demand, its Manchester facility has been AS9100D certified by NQA for the ‘Manufacture of machined components by both manual and Computer Numerically Controlled means from ferrous, nonferrous and exotic materials and plastics in accordance with customer supplied propriety drawings, processes and procedures.’

AS9100D includes all the elements of the ISO 9001 standard but has additional requirements to meet the stringent demands of aerospace, defence and security customers, placing rigorous emphasis on end-to-end quality processes, risk management and continuous improvement.

AS9100D is the current revision of the AS9100 certification and features important new sub-clauses that place greater scrutiny on product safety and the prevention of counterfeit parts. It also brings the underlying structure for the system in line with ISO 9001:2015.

This certification allows EDM to work on both aerospace and military-specific applications, and cements the company’s position as a high-quality, trusted manufacturer within these markets.

EDM Receives AS9100D Certification

Kaman UK invests £1m in new chemical treatment line

NWAA Member News

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What’s happening in NATEP?

Focus on NATEP Call 7 Projects

NATEP Call 8 Projects Update

General Information

NATEP at Paris Air Show

Forthcoming Events

NATEP News

Both of our Call 7 Projects ‘Prometheus: Novel Hybrid Power Technology for Aerospace,’ and ‘GNSS Interference Location and Survey’ are now reaching the conclusion of their projects and entering the last phase of their R&D with support from the NWAA NATEP team.

The Prometheus Project is working to develop a green power source for aircraft based on thermoelectric generator technology, which converts wasted heat to power.

Over the last quarter the project partners have been focussed on developing a new lighter weight Thermo Electric Module as part of the development of a new Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) to capture some of the energy released in the engine of a large-scale drone aircraft.

This new TEG will be able to capture more energy whilst weighing significantly less than the previous TEG that had been developed during the project.

The GNSS Interference Location and Survey Project is working on stopping airport GNSS systems from being jammed and heavily disrupted through the use of mobile detectors.

The focus of activity in the project during the last quarter has been on optimising the precise timing and location of potential jammer signals logged by the receivers during testing. There has also been significant analysis undertaken on how the receivers could detect multiple signal jamming attempts in the same location, as this is a more complicated scenario for jamming detection.

The Call 8 Projects of ‘HP1 Impact Classification System,’ ‘Intelligent Diversion Assistant’ and ‘Affordable Detail Additive Parts Technology’ have all had their third quarterly progress reviews and the projects have all made significant progress, including various trials to test the effectiveness of the technologies and techniques involved in their developments.

The Call 8 Projects are presenting to the NW Regional Advisory Panel (RAP) in June on their progress to date. The projects will report on their progress against their plans and the RAP panel will look to offer constructive feedback and assistance on any issues they may be experiencing within the development of their technologies. There will be more details on the progress of the Call 8 Projects during the Autumn edition of Plane Talk.

NATEP is an Aerospace Growth Partnership initiative led by ADS, the Premier Trade Organisation for companies in the UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space Sectors. It is a UK-wide programme delivered with the support of Regional Aerospace Alliance (RAA) organisations in England (Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, Midlands Aerospace Alliance, North West Aerospace Alliance and West of England Aerospace Forum) and in the devolved regions by Invest Northern Ireland, Scottish Enterprise and the Welsh Government.

The programme supports companies in the aerospace supply chain to develop innovative technologies, working in collaboration with others and supported by higher tier companies. It will equip them to win new business with existing customers and to diversify their customer base. It is based on a proven model delivered by the partner organisations from 2013-17. As well as grant funding, the programme provides high calibre technical and management resource to help those companies accelerate the technology development towards market readiness.

The NWAA NATEP team will have a dedicated NATEP pod on the NWAA’s stand in Hall 2b on stand F172 at the Paris Air Show. There will be an updated brochure giving details of all the current and previously completed NATEP Projects. The National NATEP Programme team will also be available in Hall 2b on stand GH 189 and would be happy to discuss any of the national NATEP Projects that are currently ongoing or have previously been completed.

Future NATEP events will be listed on the NWAA website (www.aerospace.co.uk) or NATEP website (www.natep.org.uk)

For more information about NATEP, please contact the NWAA Project Manager Glen Bullen on 01772 648800 or e-mail: glen.bullen@natep.org.uk

NATEPNATEPIntroducing the NATEP North West Regional Advisory Panel

Iain MintonSafran NacellesUK Technical Director

Mick CarlisleIndependent Forgings & Alloys LtdBusiness Development Manager

Martin BurnhamIIDEA UKOwner

Ian EavesHockley Pattern

Billy BeggsUCLanEngineering Innovation Manager

Costas SoutisUMARIDirector

Glyn WilliamsMarshall’s Aerospace & Defence GroupChief Engineer

Bob GreenhalghBAE Systems

Denzil LawrenceBoeingCommercial Airplanes Supplier Development

Rob HewisonAMRCComposite Centre Technical Manager

Michael AndreaeSigma ComponentsDirector of Technology & Improvement

NATEP News

There have been challenges to overcome for both projects during the quarter which have required different approaches and collaborative thinking between project partners.

Both projects will be holding their final quarterly reviews shortly where their progress and technical achievements will be assessed.

The three Call 8 projects of ‘HP1 Impact Classification System,’ ‘Intelligent Diversion Assistant’ and ‘Affordable Detail Additive Parts Technology’ are now approaching the mid-point of their projects and have made significant progress despite a number of technical challenges that have been faced by the partners.

The NWAA NATEP team will be present on the NWAA’s stand during the Paris Air Show on a dedicated pod. Why not come and visit us in Hall 2b on stand F172 to discuss some of the exciting technologies that have been developed during the NATEP Programme?

Future NATEP Calls

A launch date for the next NATEP Call has not yet been formally confirmed, however it is likely to open later in the year. Keep an eye on the following websites for further details: ww.aerospace.co.uk or www.natep.org.uk

plane talk summer 2019plane talk summer 2019 www.aerospace.co.uk @NWAerospace 1716

Two NWAA member companies have won the coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Pexa, the UK’s leading coatings and surface treatment products to aerospace and other sectors, and Woodford Engineering Consultancy, providing aircraft systems design, development, safety and certification services, have been named winners.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is one of the UK’s leading awards for industry, and is given for outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Pexa, based in West Yorkshire, and Cheadle Hulme-based Woodford Engineering, won the award in the International Trade category.

Jim Rowbotham, founder and Managing Director of Pexa, said: “We are thrilled to win the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the first time”, says Jim Rowbotham, founder and Managing Director.

“HRH The Duke of York was kind enough to declare our new premises open when we moved here a couple of years ago. He suggested we try for the award and, encouraged by that, we did. Thanks to him for giving us a push in this direction.”

Pexa now works with more than 1,000 customers in more than 40 countries, providing products for projects including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350XWB and the F-35 Lightning II.

It has also expanded to open new offices and outlets in Spain, Southern France, North Africa and India.

Woodford Engineering was founded in 2008 and employs more than 50 people at its Cheadle Hulme and Filton, Bristol sites.

David Bradshaw, Woodford Engineering Commercial Director, said: “We are honoured to receive this most prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. It is testament to the value of the skills and expertise of our engineering staff.

“We are proud to be a part of the UK’s continuing capability in high-value design: a capability which is in demand globally. In particular we thank our European partners and customers whose ongoing recognition of the value of our expertise has made this award possible.”

Queen’s Award winners are invited to a Royal reception and presented with their award by a Lord Lieutenant. They are given a Grant of Appointment and a crystal trophy.

Queen’s Award wins for NWAA members

NWAA Member News

Woodford Engineering Consultancy

The HRH Duke of York at Pexa

Our Core Capabilities- UK facility- 64,000 sq ft manufacturing capacity- Large assembly bays with 7m x 5m door access- Three 10t KONE cranes (8m under hook)- 3 & 5 axis CNC machining (21.5m)- Fabrication/welding (invar - steel - stainless - aluminium)- Fitting/assembly- Conventional tool room/patternshop- Large CMM inspection (6.3m)

Specialists in the design and manufacture of composite component production mould tooling and large complex assembly systems, we utilise a range of materials to suit customer applications and requirements.

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Assembly Systems and FixturesBy working together with our global customers we develop and design efficient assembly systems, which can also operate as a pulse line to maximise build efficiency and encourage a reduced takt time.

www.ktltooling.comsales@ktltooling.com07780 701894 KTL Tooling Ltd, 1 Innovation Drive, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 2FT UK

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KTL Tooling is a centre of excellence and a global leader in tooling design and manufacture for civil and defence programmes, including fixed wing and rotary applications.

See us at the Paris Air Show

Contact us on 07780 701894 to

arrange a meeting

Members of:

plane talk summer 2019plane talk summer 2019 www.aerospace.co.uk @NWAerospace 1918

Isle of Man News Isle of Man News

Manx Precision Optics Ltd (MPO) is an Isle of Man-based, family owned company manufacturing high precision optical components.

Founded in 2013, MPO is a member of the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster. The company’s manufacturing process is ISO 9001:2015 certified and comprises the full spectrum of optical component manufacture, from grinding and shaping to polishing and coating (both traditional e-beam coatings and sputtered coatings).

The company exports globally, supplying optics to industrial customers as well as research and development (R&D) bodies in high power research.

Here we take a look at the man behind the lens, Dr Helmut Kessler, Managing Director of MPO, to see how the business has grown in the last six years. Helmut is a physicist by trade with a background in coating design. His passion for producing precision-made optics is something that shines through the business and is one of the reasons why MPO have been so successful on the Isle of Man.The company has always focused on the long-term, and avoids paying too much attention to short-term goals: Helmut believes you can achieve more overall this way. He said: “We concentrate on our people, inventions and long term growth.”

In light of this, the company is continually looking to expand whilst keeping control of quality. In 2018 MPO recognised the need for new capital equipment; Helmut received support from the Isle of

Man Government’s Department for Enterprise (DfE)’s Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) in the form of a grant to purchase a new coating chamber.

The business also received support towards the quality accreditation ISO9001:2015 which means its quality management system (QMS) is certified to the latest standard and internationally recognised. The new chamber is now in place and fully functioning. The chamber is hugely influential to the business as it allows MPO to double their coating capacity; it also features advanced control systems and is fully automated with the potential to run overnight, increasing efficiency.

Helmut believes it is important to fully understand and control the overall manufacturing process as optics manufacture is a non-deterministic process. It is for this reason that the company needs to be flexible due to the inherent risk involved, as a small speck of dust latching onto one of the optics can scratch the surface and cause damage.

He explains there are some parameters they can control but other things are impossible to control or account for. This is what excites Helmut and his enthusiasm transfers to the employees, creating a positive working culture where quality and efficiency thrive.

One of the strengths of the company and, arguably, the key USP is that it completes all processes in-house. This is very important to MPO’s R&D customers as they can get everything they need from one supplier.

Improving quality, reducing risk to customers and improving customer service overall.

Traceability of the product is key, and MPO have this. Helmut said: “We offer a tailored, specialist service supported with knowledge and expertise. We are flexible in the work we do, and are always willing to try and test different things. Our clients are happy to pay for quality, and they can rest assured they will receive this due to our quality certification.”

Even though the addition of the coating chamber has facilitated further expansion, Helmut continues to look for ways to improve and develop. Later this year (in the third quarter) he plans to further expand the

grinding and polishing capabilities. As a result of all this change, the company is recruiting this year: there are vacancies in the accounting side of the business as well as the optics.

Jeanette Kessler, Helmut’s wife, company co-owner and Director of Finance, will be looking for assistance in the finance department due to growing order books and increased activity. The husband and wife team always look to recruit locally, and are keen to take on young people to teach in an apprenticeship role, allowing them to grow with the business.

They are both passionate about supporting local talent and are conscious about remaining a key part of the community.

Overall, Manx Precision Optics is a relatively small company working to the rules and standards of larger companies in the industry. ‘Small but mighty’ is a term that is rather fitting for this rapidly expanding local

business…and also a reflection of the Isle of Man itself.We leave the final words to Dr Kessler, who adds:

“Having been established in 2013, MPO is currently undergoing its second phase of major expansion. This involved, during the fourth quarter of 2018, the purchase of a new large coating chamber that doubled the company’s coating capacity while also adding new technical capabilities and was an investment of over £500K.

“In parallel, the company is also expanding its polishing capabilities through the acquisition of a new 72” polishing machine, due to be delivered over the summer of 2019. This will enable MPO to increase polishing lot sizes and also allow the company to expand its capability to polishing larger diameter optics (>300mm dia).

“Some of the company’s specific areas of expertise are in the manufacture of high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) coatings, specifically for use in ultrafast lasers. The company’s white light interferometers ensure that all components for ultrafast applications are delivered with a measured GDD (Group Delay Dispersion) curve.

“Furthermore, MPO manufactures solid and air-spaced etalons and related components such as VIPA etalons. Where light needs to be polarised, MPO’s optically contacted cube polarisers, even available in sizes of 2” (50.8mm), 3” (76.2mm) and larger, offer a competitive solution. Due to the modern production facility, MPO is able to offer short delivery times and highly competitive prices even on small /specialist components.

“At the start of 2018, MPO also added polishing capabilities for large diameter spherical optics. Having both polishing and coating capabilities in-house allows MPO to offer a one-stop-shop solution to customers who require their components to withstand high laser powers.

“MPO is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of components for high power and ultrashort pulse applications and, since its foundation, has built up a global network of customers, exporting its products world-wide. 2019 will see further expansion of markets in Asia and the US.

“Along with the increase in the business, MPO has been able to create new employment opportunities with two new members of staff starting in June and recruitment of further members of staff in the pipeline. Through their grant scheme, the Isle of Man Government has been very supportive, allowing MPO to expand at a much faster pace than would otherwise have been possible.”

MPO holds a large stock of raw material and polished optics allowing for short delivery times even where components with specialist coatings are required. Many standard components, both coated and uncoated are available from stock – you can find out more via the company’s website www.mpo.im

MANX PRECISION OPTICS

After locating your business to the Isle of Man, support is available from the Government’s Department for Enterprise – up to 40% grant support is available towards building, plant and machinery, first year rent costs and employee relocation. Find out more by visiting www.iomdfenterprise.im/fas

FOCUS ON…

plane talk summer 2019plane talk summer 2019 www.aerospace.co.uk @NWAerospace 2120

Stabilise your schedules

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Cut machine time by 80%

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Excellent parts: 100% guaranteed

Global manufacturer and supplier of tools for the metal cutting industry, Dormer Pramet, has launched several new machines to give its customers greater choice.

Dormer Pramet’s ProLog Vending system provides helps customers with tool inventory and management, giving greater control over what cutting tools are on-site, how many are available, who is using them and when to re-order, offers significant support and accountability.

In addition to the standard check-in/check-out features, added business rules and reports are available to provide detailed analysis of performance. In addition, users can automatically ‘age’ and lock-down tools based on specific criteria, set-up alert notifications when a tool has reached a defined setting and a full audit history by asset and user.

Dormer Pramet’s most popular vending devices are SupplyBay and SmartDrawer.

SupplyBay is engineered for industrial environments to deliver reliable high-volume dispensing for a wide range of tools and supplies. Its large dispensing door gives easy access to load and refill.

SmartDrawer allows users to choose the best level of access for each application. It can be a stand-alone unit or combined with other devices for a tailored solution, offering a mix of compartment options between 2 - 128 positions in each drawer.To enhance its vending offer, Dormer Pramet has launched several new machines, giving even greater choice to suit individual requirements.

The new additions include SaveRing, SaveBin and SaveRent. All the systems help companies move away from peg-board or open access methods.

SaveRing is a versatile vending machine which stores and distributes up to 540 unique items. It has four key functions to distribute, rent, return for regrinding or reserve products for up to 30 days.

SaveRent is a locker-type tool renting and monitoring system. It allows the storing, distribution and return of valuable, frequently used tools and items. Each transaction is saved and recorded when each user accesses an item.

With SaveBin employees return used or contaminated items, with the unit taking a photo of the product and logging the transaction to the employee. The system automatically alerts if waste levels reach a pre-defined number.

All machines are supported by industry leading data management software.

Time to take control - Dormer Pramet’s ProLog Vending system

01254 54659 or email info@t2000.co.uk

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plane talk summer 2019plane talk summer 2019 www.aerospace.co.uk @NWAerospace 2322

Software specialist CGTech will showcase its industry-leading technology at two major events this summer.

CGTech will first show how its industry leading technology, VERICUT, will help manufacturers to meet demands for efficiency and realise a competitive advantage, on its stand at GTMA Manufacturing Solutions 2019 which is to be hosted at the Limerick Institute of Technology on 12th June, 2019.

VERICUT is the world’s leading independent machine simulation, verification and optimisation software, simulating all types of CNC machining, including mill/turn and multi-axis, drilling and trimming of composite parts, water jet, riveting and robots. It operates independently, but can also be integrated with leading CAD/CAM systems.

A key focus for CGTech at the exhibition will be to demonstrate the efficiency improvements and productivity gains that can be achieved using the comprehensive capabilities of VERICUT. Managing Director, Tony Shrewsbury, explained: “In today’s globally competitive environment, software verification is essential to the ability of any manufacturing business to attain the goals of producing on-time, high quality parts at a minimum cost.”

CGTech will then showcase its expanded range of software applications for the aerospace industry in Hall 4, Booth E120, at the Paris International Airshow between 17th – 21st June, 2019.

CGTech’s VERICUT is widely used in aerospace and defense to improve the efficiency of all types of CNC machine tools.

Throughout the show, CGTech will be demonstrating VERICUTs Force optimization module. Force, which now offers optimization capabilities for both milling and turning operations, reduces machining times by as much as 30-70% while also extending the life of cutting tools.

CGTech will also be demonstrating the latest versions of VERICUT Composites Programming (VCP) & Simulation (VCS) Software. The aerospace industry continues to push for lighter, faster, and more cost-effective parts and to support these goals, VCP now puts more power into user’s hands.

CGTech to demonstrate VERICUT at major shows

NWAA Member News

All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2019 Ideagen Plc

ideagen To talk to our team about managing quality in your organisation, visit ideagen.com@Ideagen_Plc linkedin.com/company/ideagen-plc

Ideagen have been providing Quality Management Solutions in the Aerospace and Defence industry for more than 20 years.

Benefit from our solutions and expertise to manage accredited processes to AS9100, AS9145, AS9102, ISO9001 successfully within your industry.

plane talk summer 2019plane talk summer 2019 www.aerospace.co.uk @NWAerospace 2524

Keighley Laboratories Limited has successfully passed the Materials Testing Laboratory audit and obtained Nadcap accreditation.

The accreditation has been achieved as a result of investment in meeting strict industry and customer requirements.

Debbie Mellor (pictured), Managing Director at Keighley Labs said: “Our technical services team has worked extremely hard to demonstrate continual improvement in our quality and procedures in order for us to again achieve this Nadcap Accreditation.

“This achievement is important for Keighley Labs as it demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest standards of material testing services as required by our customers, particularly those from the aerospace sector.”

Michael J Hayward, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Performance Review Institute said: “Congratulations to Keighley Laboratories Limited for gaining Nadcap accreditation in recognition of their compliant Materials Testing Laboratory activities, which have been acknowledged as satisfying stringent industry and customer requirements.”

Keighley Labs achieves Nadcap accreditation for materials testing lab

NWAA Member News

Save the date

Express News

Plane Talk Autumn 2019

The NWAA has a number of events coming up in 2019:

Copy deadlines for members wanting to share news

Copy deadline for members wanting to share news in the next edition of Plane talk

June 20July 18August 22September 19

August 12, 2019

Copy deadlines

Please send all information tonwaa@freshfield.com

Join us at the only 100% dedicated supply chain event

Supported by ADS and all aerospace regional associations, Aero Engineering is the UK’s only event fully-dedicated to aerospace R&D, design, test, inspection, production & assembly.

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"I found the event a great networking opportunity to meet industrial professionals from different backgrounds with different products."

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June 17-23, 2019Paris AirshowLe Bourget, Paris 01772 648800 sharon.mcdonald@aerospace.co.uk

July 19, 2019Isle of Man Aerospace ConsortiumSt John’s Mill, Isle of Man 01772 648800 sharon.mcdonald@aerospace.co.uk

September 18, 2019US Roundtable WorkshopVenue: TBC 01772 648800 claire.lambert@aerospace.co.uk

October 2-3, 2019Northern Manufacturing & Electronics ShowEvent City, Manchester (Stand Number J81)

October 4, 2019NWAA Annual Aerospace BallDunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton Le Moors 01772 648800 sharon.mcdonald@aerospace.co.uk

plane talk summer 2019@NWAerospace 27plane talk summer 2019 www.aerospace.co.uk26

A leading additive manufacturing facility has joined the North West Aerospace Alliance to provide access to equipment and advice on incorporating 3D printing into aerospace businesses.

The facility, which is run by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, is specifically designed to support businesses to utilise and adopt 3D printing technologies.

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a process by which components are built in layers based on digital designs. The Aerospace Technology Institute has predicted that 15 per cent of the additive manufacturing market will be linked to the aerospace sector by 2025.

STFC’s additive manufacturing facility is now working with companies to explore how 3D printing could aid product development and streamline manufacturing processes across the aerospace industry.

Additive manufacturing boasts a broad range of opportunities and benefits over ‘traditional’ manufacturing techniques, including weight reduction, reduction in number of components, production of bespoke or small batch products, jigs, tools or fixtures, and the ability to create parts with complex geometries.

A range of companies have worked with the additive manufacturing facility on projects ranging from rapid prototyping, development of bespoke jigs, tools and fixtures and optimising designs for the 3D printing workflow.

David Bogg, Manager at STFC’s additive manufacturing facility, explained: “The aim of the facility is to provide companies of all sizes with affordable access to the best skills and equipment in engineering R&D, so that they can solve their technology challenges for innovations that will benefit both society and our economy.

“By learning more about the opportunities that 3D printing, Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality can present for engineering, the benefits for businesses are potentially vast.”

The Group has brought together four of the world’s leading competence brands – Cutting Solutions by Ceratizit, Komet, WNT and Klenk which forms the new Team Cutting Tools as a global full solution supplier within the cutting industry.

With the recent integration of German precision tool manufacturer Komet, the Ceratizit Group now employs more than 9,000 people across the world.

The addition of Komet along with competence brand Klenk, also well known within the sector, has created a new and dynamic structure for the aerospace sector, which will be highlighted at the show.

At the Paris Air Show visitors will also gain an insight into specific product ranges that play an important role in the aerospace sector. One of these solutions is the optimised milling tool MaxiMill211–K, which is especially suitable for production requirements of the aerospace industry.

The MaxiMill 211-K features inserts and geometry that creates a clean cut and permits high cutting rates, as well as optimising cutter stability. Process reliability and quality is guaranteed through an integrated chip space that delivers optimal chip clearance.

Jean-Charles Montero, Managing Director Ceratizit France, said: “They will benefit from a highly attractive, integrated range of services; one of the most extensive on the market along

with highly efficient sales, leading expertise in future technologies (from digitisation to nanotechnology), and many years of in-depth experience in the industry – all in one place.”

Visitors can meet representatives from Ceratizit at Hall 3 Stand B38.

Skipton-based Guyson International has recently installed four Guyson Euroblast 8, pressure feed, blast finishing systems complete with side loading turntables.

The systems have been installed into the brand new additive manufacturing (AM) factory of Materials Solutions (A Siemens Business) to remove semi-sintered particles from their components and provide an even cosmetic finish.

These larger blast finishing systems augment an existing batch of smaller model 2 and model 4 Guyson Euroblast blast cabinets and continue the customer’s long term association with Guyson as the foremost industrial finishing equipment manufacturer.

Phil Hatherley, Materials Solutions General Manager, said: “Materials Solutions has been using Guyson blasters since our origin and when it came to upgrade and update it made perfect sense to us to go back to Guyson.

“We have increased size capability plus capacity and working with our team Guyson have provided us with a quality solution for blasting the larger components that our

customers are now looking for us to supply.” The installation of these blast systems has been purposely designed so that each system practically mirrors itself, with operators working back to back in a compact and organised space and all the dust collectors and cyclone reclamators are on a common side of the installation.

The Guyson Euroblast 8 blast cabinet was chosen as it offers a tremendous array of component access options, offering front, front top and side opening doors and providing internal blast chamber dimensions of 1050 mm (w) x 1050 mm (d) x 880 mm (h). So the largest additive manufactured components can be accommodated.

In addition, each cabinet is fitted with a side loading turntable, allowing heavy/bulky components to be loaded outside the blast cabinet via forklift or crane if necessary.

The turntable (with a max 300 kg evenly distributed load) is manually moved into the blast cabinet on rails and metal bogey wheels. And once the turntable is within the blast chamber an external scissor lift, on the side loading frame, allows the load table rails to

be lowered, allowing the cabinet side door to be closed, creating a tight seal, to prevent dust and blast media escaping into the workshop environment during post process blasting.

Electrically operated door switches prevent accidental blasting when the door is open and a timed interlock prevents operator access, for a pre-determined time, after blasting ceases to allow dust to be evacuated to the dust collection unit.

The whole Guyson blast system is completed with a blast media delivery/extraction system comprising of a Guyson model CY600/12 Cyclone Reclamator, G55 Pressure Pot and C800 Dust Collector.

Guyson manufacture an additional portfolio of finishing products for the 3D Print/Additive Manufacturing market, which includes the Euroblast Ex range of ATEX certified blast cabinets, the Guyson PRS (Powder Recovery System) an automated post processing system specifically for EBM additive builds and their ‘Kerry’ branded range of ultrasonic baths and tanks for 3D printed fused deposition modelling (FDM) support removal.

Leading additive manufacturing facility joins NWAA

The Ceratizit Group will showcase its innovative cutting tool solutions for the aerospace industry at the forthcoming Paris International Air Show.

Guyson Installs Multiple Blast Cabinets

NWAA Member News NWAA Member News

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plane talk summer 2019plane talk summer 2019 www.aerospace.co.uk @NWAerospace 2928

Meet the board

Neil McKayNWAAChairman 01772 648800

Keith HarrisonSilcomsDeputy Chairman 01204 466070

Sharon McDonaldNWAADirector & Company Secretary01772 648822

David BaileyCEO NWAADirector01772 648800

Syd CarsonMorson ProjectsDirector0161 7071516

Steve KitsonRolls-RoyceDirector01332 242424

Anthony HammondHyde GroupDirector0161 3435844

Iain MintonSafran NacellesDirector01282 419362

Paul BurnsBAE SystemsDirector

Andy WalkerLancashire County CouncilDirector

James MilliganMBDADirector

Mike HaworthVelocity Composites Director

NWAA member, Servispart Consulting, the UK’s leading specialist aftermarket consultancy is partnering with GenAlpha Technologies LLC.

The move will provide a powerful synergy of aftermarket knowledge and technology expertise in addressing the needs of the manufacturing aftermarket.

Located in Wisconsin, USA, Genalpha offers PartSpot, a powerful and feature-rich eCommerce/eCatalogue system designed specifically for the manufacturing aftermarket.

The solution complements the advantages of Servispart’s winning growth strategies and implementation services that accelerate aftermarket competitiveness, customer service and financial performance. GenAlpha and Servispart will collaborate on customer projects, utilising the expertise of each firm.

Adrian Botham, Servispart Managing Director, said: “We are excited to be partnering with Genalpha to help more manufacturers unlock their aftermarket growth and servitisation opportunities.

“Our Aftermarket 360TM and Service Growth Accelerator improvement methodologies often highlight eCommerce and technical parts data management as key growth enablers, which Genalpha can help our clients to fully exploit.”

Stan Eames, Genalpha CEO, said: “Manufacturers have long overlooked the tremendous potential of their aftermarket, most often because of the operational complexities of marketing and selling parts.

“Our PartSpot product provides a vehicle for simplifying part sales, and when coupled with the consulting expertise of Servispart we present manufacturers with a highly qualified path to aftermarket success.”

Features such as an integrated electronic parts catalogue, BOM illustration hot-spotting and interactive 3-D drawings make PartSpot a premier consideration when selecting an aftermarket eCommerce solution. Servispart’s strategy, business change and digital transformation services are designed to address the many challenges associated with aftermarket growth. Together, Servispart and GenAlpha offer a stellar combination to move manufacturers into the future of aftermarket B2B eCommerce.

Servispart Consulting partners with Genalpha

NWAA Member News

The NWAA thanks Ray Maddison

Ray Maddison has retired as a Director and Vice Chairman of the NWAA.

Neil McKay, chairman, said: “Ray has been a long-serving and devoted board member of the NWAA.

“His contribution was immense and the membership, the board and the broader industry owe him a debt of gratitude for his committed and unstinting support of all our endeavours across the last two decades.

“I also thank him personally for his close support as Vice Chairman through much of that time.”

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Friday 4th October 2019The Dunkenhalgh Hotel

Speak to Sharon today about buying tickets or talk to us about our fantastic sponsorship packages, 01772 648800