AIRLIFT (Additive Industrialisation for Future Technology) is a £19 million technology industrialisation programme that uses Industry 4.0 and simulation competencies to enhance both laser metal deposition by wire (LMD-w) and powder bed AM technologies. Likewise, DAM (Developing Design for AM) is a £14 million programme aimed at developing the next generation of design tools and methods for AM using a data-driven, material-centric approach.
AIRLIFT and DAM are jointly supported by GKN Aerospace, ATI Programme, Autodesk and Siemens Digital Industries, and will bring together the expertise of universities, research institutes and industry. Some 40 highly specialised engineers and operators will work together on the programmes, which will be based out of GKN Aerospace’s £32 million Global Technology Centre in Bristol.
Russ Dunn, CTO and head of strategy at GKN Aerospace, says: “AM is a strategic technology for the aerospace Industry that will fundamentally change the way we design and manufacture aircraft. AM enables us to control material characteristics, bringing about benefits in terms of product performance, cost and the environment. With AIRLIFT and DAM, and the Global Technology Centre in Bristol, GKN Aerospace will further develop and industrialise AM in the UK. The ATI is an incredibly valuable resource and we’re delighted they’re supporting this project to help the UK stay at the forefront of this exciting and emerging technology.”
Dr Simon Weeks, CTO of the Aerospace Technology Institute, adds: “These exciting projects will progress AM technology, extending the capabilities for large-scale AM component manufacture in the UK. This offers great opportunities for efficient future aircraft structures with tailored properties, as well as valuable material and energy savings. These investments in GKN’s Global Technology Centre will strengthen the UK’s position in AM and establish a route to industrialise laser wire deposition for aerospace.”
