Honeywell-Led Group Secures UK Funding to Impact Aerospace Manufacturing

A Honeywell-led consortium has secured UK government funding for a project intended to influence how aerospace technologies are manufactured in the UK via use of AI and additive manufacturing. 

The £14.1m research and development project, funded via the ATI Programme, will explore how AI and other technologies can advance simulations and modeling. It will also dive into opportunities to ireduce Scope 3 emissions and help tackle supply chain challenges through production of additively manufactured qualified aerospace parts.

Project STRATA will focus on the development of five components within Environmental Control Systems (ECS) and Cabin Pressure Control Systems (CPCS) aboard aircraft. 

STRATA will also advance thermal management technology for aircraft aimed at reducing the amount of energy required for heating and cooling of aircraft, as well as fuel consumption in-line with STRATA’s goal of supporting net-zero aerospace manufacturing and environmental objectives.

“Additive manufacturing has the ability to deliver both high-performance optimized components and the consolidation of complex assemblies into a single part, which can lower manufacturing costs, reduce waste and deliver new efficiencies in manufacturing,” says Jacqueline Castle, chief technology officer, Aerospace Technology Institute. “STRATA will bring this capability to critical aircraft systems, utilizing advanced simulation technologies to transform the design process. This project aligns well with the ATI’s strategy and roadmap for additive manufacturing for advanced systems, which sees additive manufacturing contributing significantly to the sector’s future sustainability.”

“STRATA represents a commitment to take the UK’s aerospace manufacturing leadership to new levels through the use of cutting-edge technology," says Anthony Florian, president, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies EMEAI. "This is an exciting opportunity to bring our deep experience in driving cross-sector aerospace research and local engineering capabilities to accelerate the development of more efficient aircraft components in the UK.”

The project represents a shift in aerospace component design and manufacturing, including:

• Faster additive manufacturing that reduces production time and material waste through demonstrating the lifecycle carbon analysis.
• AI-driven modeling and simulation to review opportunities to accelerate innovation cycles.
• UK Additive Manufacturing supply chain development.

As part of the consortium Honeywell is bringing together industry leaders. They include: 

• 3T Additive Manufacturing: 3T has scaled metal additive manufacturing into series production through vertical integration. 3T will implement low-cost digital tools to achieve a “factory level digital twin."
• BeyondMath will work on physics simulations to help empower engineers to optimize designs.
• Qdot Technology: Qdot is developing additively manufactured heat exchanger technology for aerospace, motorsport and other applications.  
• Oxford Thermofluids Institute, a part of the University of Oxford: Oxford ensures STRATA benefits from the latest scientific advancements in aerospace thermal management.

The ATI Programme funds research into advanced civil aerospace technologies, and is delivered in partnership between the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), the Department for Business & Trade and Innovate UK.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.