Surface Generation signs major aero engine deal

Surface Generation has announced that IHI Corporation, the Japanese engineering giant, is to use its Production to Functional Specifications (PtFS) process to create lightweight jet engine parts for a major next generation single aisle commercial aircraft programme. IHI has signed a five-year multi-million pound contract to use Surface Generation’s patented PtFS technologies to produce thousands of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic guide vanes. An industry first, these will be used to connect fuel efficient engines to their cowlings. The PtFS process encompasses a range of active thermal management technologies, allowing temperatures to be dynamically controlled to the exact requirements of each mould area and process stage. This uniquely allows manufacturers to continuously adapt heating and cooling levels in real-time, assuring quality and maximising throughput. Hideo Morita, Civil Aero-Engine Division engineering general manager at IHI Corporation, stated: “We’ve long recognised the benefits of using thermoplastics in commercial aircraft engines, but traditional processes for curing composites were not viable for high-volume production of complex structures such as structural guide vanes. The speed, precision, efficiency and reliability of the PtFS process enable us to cost-effectively mass-produce these for the first time.” Ben Halford, CEO at Surface Generation (above), commented: “Every gram counts when it comes to building lighter more fuel-efficient aircraft, so being able to economically mass-produce complex composite parts is a major step forward for the industry. We are very proud to be working with IHI and KBK to contribute to reducing fuel consumption while enabling aircraft to carry additional payload.” PtFS is rapidly being adopted by global automotive, aerospace, industrial and consumer electronics manufacturers to significantly reduce the time and ultimate cost of producing high-performance composites. To facilitate this win-win agreement, Kyokuto Boeki Kaisha (KBK) played a crucial role as Surface Generation’s exclusive Japanese agent. www.surface-generation.com