Rolls-Royce opens new additive manufacturing facility in Bristol
Rolls-Royce has opened a new additive manufacturing development cell at its Defence Assembly and Operations facility in Bristol.
The facility was officially opened by Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, with Claire Hazelgrove, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, also attending the unveiling.
Funded by the UK Ministry of Defence, the new cell will use advanced additive manufacturing technology to produce critical components for next-generation aircraft engines.
Rolls-Royce said the investment will help strengthen UK aerospace manufacturing capability by enabling the production of complex components more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively than traditional manufacturing methods.
The technology will support work across the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), future combat power and propulsion, and wider Rolls-Royce defence applications.
The company said the development of optimised, lightweight engine components could help future aircraft deliver more power and improved fuel efficiency.
Andy Higginson, senior vice president of manufacturing, assembly and test at Rolls-Royce, said:
Across Rolls-Royce we are committed to the continued development and enhancement of our technologies to meet the demands of today, while providing scalable infrastructure required for the future.
Programmes like FCAS and GCAP will be fundamental to the UK’s future aerospace sector and capabilities like additive manufacturing will be crucial to enabling innovation at pace, driving cost savings and enhancing the skills and capabilities of our people.
The new facility is housed in a custom-built 350 sq m space where humidity, temperature and air pressure are carefully controlled to ensure consistent quality.
The machinery manufactures aerospace components layer by layer using metal super-alloy powders, with laser beams used to melt the powder into complex metal components.
Engineers are being specially trained to use the equipment, with Rolls-Royce saying the investment will help sustain and create skilled jobs at its Bristol hub.
Luke Pollard MP said:
This new facility in Bristol is a clear sign of UK industry investing in the skills and technology we need to stay ahead.
By using the latest manufacturing techniques to build lighter, more efficient components, Rolls-Royce is helping to keep British engineers at the forefront of innovation - all the while creating and sustaining skilled jobs right here in Bristol.
Rolls-Royce said the use of additive manufacturing would also support quicker delivery to partners and customers, while helping to reduce waste and energy use by allowing the right quantity of raw materials to be used.
