The operation will be established on the Advanced Manufacturing Park between Sheffield and Rotherham, where some 30 high-end, technical engineering jobs will be created.
Using Rolls-Royce's established MetLase technology, the organisation will initially focus on aerospace, automotive, motorsport and the medical market sector.
Details about the MetLase process are unclear as public details seem nowhere to be found online, while a spokesman for the joint venture gave only outline information. These are that MetLase includes software for engineering applications covered by multiple patents in combination with a laser cutting tool. It is not additive manufacturing, although Machinery was told it could "interface with it" and that MetLase is "adaptable".
Fundamentally, it will cut the time to develop new parts from months to weeks or even days, the spokesman told Machinery, adding that it will give manufacturers "a huge advantage".
The joint venture is expected to be operational in its new premises from September/October of this year, the spokesman revealed.
Hamid Mughal, director of manufacturing, Rolls-Royce, said: "We see creating a JV with Unipart as an excellent opportunity to work with a well-established cross-sector partner with complementary skills to help accelerate the development of the MetLase technology and widen its use into a broader range of markets."
According to Unipart chairman and chief executive John Neill, the MetLase joint venture provides an important platform for Unipart, which has long been associated with productivity improvement through its proprietary business system, The Unipart Way.
"We're very pleased to be taking this important step with Rolls-Royce in a partnership that will establish an incubator for innovation in the aerospace industry, and will extend into other areas in which we have deep expertise, such as the automotive industry and motorsport," he added.
