GKN Aerospace’s new UK Global Technology Centre to focus on AM for aerospace
June 20, 2019
GKN Aerospace has broken ground on its new 10,000 m2 UK Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Bristol, UK, which it states will focus on Additive Manufacturing, advanced composites, assembly and Industry 4.0 processes to enable the high-rate production of aircraft structures. The GTC is funded by a £17 million commitment from GKN Aerospace and a £15 million commitment from the UK Government through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, and was announced in December 2018.
It was stated that GKN Aerospace has already secured twenty-five collaboration partners for the GTC, which represents its largest UK technology investment to date. The centre will serve as a base for GKN Aerospace’s technology partnership in the Airbus’ ‘Wing of Tomorrow’ technology programme, as well as new Additive Manufacturing industrialisation programmes.
John Pritchard, CEO of GKN Aerospace ASEA, stated, “We are proud to have taken the next step in the UK GTC development with our groundbreaking in April and we are excited that so many partners have joined us. Our GTC is designed to support GKN Aerospace’s UK workforce and close collaboration with the world-class UK aerospace ecosystem, building on joint expertise, talent and infrastructure.”
“A great example of the UK’s industrial strategy approach, the GTC will take aerospace innovation to the next level and ensure that UK Aerospace industry will continue to operate at the forefront of global aerospace,” he concluded.
Collaboration partners for the new GTC include, but are not limited to:
- The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)
- Additive Industries B.V.
- Ansys UK Limited
- The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)
- Materialise UK Limited
- Renishaw plc
- Siemens Industry Software Limited
A full list of the twenty-five collaborative partners is available on the company’s website.
