We are pleased to announce our collaboration in the Future Advance Nacelle Technologies And Structural Integration Concepts (FANTASTIC) project, led by Bombardier, and supported by the UK Aerospace R&T Programme; a partnership between Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.
Impression Technologies Ltd – Collaboration with Bombardier to produce aerospace structures using proprietary, patented HFQ® TECHNOLOGY
21 Jan 2019
Impression Technologies Ltd (“ITL”) is pleased to announce its collaboration in the Future Advance Nacelle Technologies And Structural Integration Concepts (FANTASTIC) project, led by Bombardier, and supported by the UK Aerospace R&T Programme; a partnership between Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.
ITL was formed in January 2013 to globally commercialise the Hot Form Quench (HFQ®) technology originally developed at Imperial College London. HFQ® is where a stamping press forms hot aluminium blanks at high speed, which are quenched in the press tool. HFQ® TECHNOLOGY enables lightweight, complex aluminium parts to be formed rapidly in a single press operation, whilst achieving high levels of strength in the finished HFQ® part using standard grades of aluminium. ITL is currently supplying over 25,000 HFQ® parts per annum to customers including Aston Martin and Lotus on four production vehicles.
The FANTASTIC project will enable the design and delivery of high strength, high accuracy, lightweight HFQ® formed components in aero approved aluminium at lower cost than existing processes. ITL will work with Bombardier on developing HFQ® nacelle components. This will allow the company to demonstrate HFQ® for aero-grade materials and larger-form structures. The project – which will run for over two years – includes further development of HFQ® TECHNOLOGY simulation and modelling for aero-grade materials and the creation of an associated commercial supply chain for aerospace applications.
Commenting on the announcement, ITL’s CEO Jonathan Watkins, said: “This project is ideal for demonstrating in the aerospace industry what we have already shown in the automotive industry – that HFQ® can deliver significant manufacturing and cost benefits to complex-shaped structures while at the same time reducing the carbon footprints of these industries. We look forward to working with Bombardier and our other partners on this exciting project in a new market area for us.”
For further information on HFQ®, please visit https://hfqtechnology.com/ or contact:
| Tim McGuire Business Development Manager HFQ® Aerospace | Email: t.mcguire@impression-technologies.com Mobile: +1 (815) 509 7483 |
| Cynthia Tamraz Marketing Manager | Email: c.tamraz@impression-technologies.com Mobile: +44 7904 778 865 |
| John Sellors Director- HFQ® Applications Engineering | Email: j.sellors@impression-technologies.com Mobile: +44 7584 623 708 |
About Impression Technologies Ltd
Impression Technologies was formed in January 2013 to commercialise HFQ® TECHNOLOGY. HFQ® TECHNOLOGY has already been taken up by a number of high-end manufacturers in the automotive industry. Impression Technologies is fully equipped to carry out in-house prototyping and production runs to support HFQ® TECHNOLOGY customers, operating the world’s first HFQ® production line. One of the advantages of using HFQ® TECHNOLOGY is significantly design freedom resulting from the use of HFQ® design tools with commercial design software and from the new design opportunities the HFQ® process affords on the material and part. Impression Technologies has experienced application and design engineers who work with customers from the start to help maximise the potential of this revolutionary technology.
https://impression-technologies.com/about/
About Bombardier
Bombardier Belfast is one of the largest aerospace companies in the UK and specialises in complex composite and metallic structures, including engine nacelles, wings, and fuselages. Its experience in the design, development, manufacture and support of aircraft engine nacelles spans around 50 years. The company is involved in a number of research and technology projects as part of its technology development strategy.
About The Aerospace Technology Institute
The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) was established as a collaboration between Government and industry; to create the UK’s aerospace technology strategy, advising and challenging the sector through £3.9 billion of secured R&T investment, to ensure the UK retains its global competitive position. The Institute’s mission is to help the UK realise the opportunity available of capturing a valuable share of the growing global civil aviation market.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas. We connect businesses to the partners, customers and investors that can help them turn ideas into commercially successful products and services and business growth. We fund business and research collaborations to accelerate innovation and drive business investment into R&D. Our support is available to businesses across all economic sectors, value chains and UK regions.
Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk
To read the full Press Release, visit: https://www.ipgroupplc.com/media/portfolio-news/2019/2019-01-21b
