News: Rolls-Royce rely on Rotherham research
World-renowned engineers, Rolls-Royce, will use manufacturing processes developed and refined at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham at their latest UK facility.
Construction of its new advanced aerospace disc manufacturing facility in Tyne and Wear began with a groundbreaking ceremony conducted by Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable MP.
Fan Discs and Turbine Discs are at the heart of the engine, operating at high stress in extreme conditions providing the engine's thrust. They provide the power for a wide range of aircraft including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A380 and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The manufacturing techniques which will be used at the facility have been developed at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, at the AMP in Rotherham. Working with Rolls-Royce engineers, the AMRC specialists helped to significantly reduce the machining time of the turbine discs. This has led to major efficiency savings and made it worthwhile to retain the production within the UK.
Alain Michaelis, deputy chief operating officer and president of the gas turbine supply chain at Rolls-Royce, said: "We are pleased to begin construction on this important new facility which will use some of the most advanced manufacturing techniques to produce high-tech aero engine components to power the most advanced aircraft operating today.
"Rolls-Royce continues to invest for future growth. In the last five years we have invested over £950 million in the UK in new and existing facilities to ensure we maintain our competitive edge."
Rolls-Royce will manufacture crystal turbine blades at their new facility currently under construction in Rotherham.
The North East-made turbine discs will hold the Rotherham-made blades in the hottest part of the engine where the operating conditions are at their most severe. This requires use of some of the strongest materials available, made from refined powders specially processed and machined to the accuracy of a fraction of the thickness of a human hair.
The blades each generate the power of a Formula One car and operate in temperatures several hundred degrees above their melting point. They are cooled by air ducted through the discs and use heat resistant coatings.
Rolls-Royce website
Images: Rolls-Royce
Construction of its new advanced aerospace disc manufacturing facility in Tyne and Wear began with a groundbreaking ceremony conducted by Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable MP.
Fan Discs and Turbine Discs are at the heart of the engine, operating at high stress in extreme conditions providing the engine's thrust. They provide the power for a wide range of aircraft including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A380 and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The manufacturing techniques which will be used at the facility have been developed at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, at the AMP in Rotherham. Working with Rolls-Royce engineers, the AMRC specialists helped to significantly reduce the machining time of the turbine discs. This has led to major efficiency savings and made it worthwhile to retain the production within the UK.
Alain Michaelis, deputy chief operating officer and president of the gas turbine supply chain at Rolls-Royce, said: "We are pleased to begin construction on this important new facility which will use some of the most advanced manufacturing techniques to produce high-tech aero engine components to power the most advanced aircraft operating today.
"Rolls-Royce continues to invest for future growth. In the last five years we have invested over £950 million in the UK in new and existing facilities to ensure we maintain our competitive edge."
The North East-made turbine discs will hold the Rotherham-made blades in the hottest part of the engine where the operating conditions are at their most severe. This requires use of some of the strongest materials available, made from refined powders specially processed and machined to the accuracy of a fraction of the thickness of a human hair.
The blades each generate the power of a Formula One car and operate in temperatures several hundred degrees above their melting point. They are cooled by air ducted through the discs and use heat resistant coatings.
Rolls-Royce website
Images: Rolls-Royce
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