Yesterday saw
months of anticipation finally coming to an end as Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of
State for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills officially opened
the National Composites Centre in Bristol.
Attendees of
the event were treated to an exhibition of the power of composite technology,
showcasing electric cars, aircraft wings and also an innovative robotic
fibre placement machine worth £2.5 million.
The centre has
been commissioned as a result of £25 million worth of investment from various
professional capacities including the Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills, the European Regional Development Fund and the South West Regional
Development Agency.
The NCC has
already secured research projects from incredibly big names in the composite
industry such as Rolls Royce and Vestas, but the intention now is to provide a
service to innovative SMEs to allow them to carry out their valuable research
alongside the major players.
Composite
technology research could potentially play a significant role in the growth of
the UK economy, due to its use in the High Value Manufacturing business. The
fact that composites are so lightweight when compared to more traditional
materials like metal means that when used in certain areas of manufacture the
overall costs (both monetary and environmental) could actually be reduced. For
example a composite wind turbine blade, weighing less than a metal blade, will
turn faster in an identical breeze, thus producing more power. Similarly with
aircraft bodies – lighter = less fuel required. And as composites are
incredible strong, it really seems that there are very few detrimental factors.
The composites
industry is seeing a rapid increase in growth, with some sectors enjoying up to
15% a year. The director of the NCC, Peter Chivers, added, “If the UK can be
part of that growth, that has to be good for us.”
No comments:
Post a Comment