Aerospace manufacturers in the Midlands, UK, were among the first to go behind the scenes at a new state-of-the-art materials testing facility in Banbury, Oxfordshire that opened at the end of April.
A world leader in materials testing, Westmoreland Mechanical Testing and Research (WMT&R) hosted a ‘Make Your Ideas Happen’ roadshow for the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) on Monday, April 27 2015. The roadshow included updates from the BIS-funded National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP), a unique program injecting money and expert mentoring into UK aerospace supply chain companies whom it helps develop 100 novel technologies, with up to £150,000 of match funding available to companies with a great idea.
NATEP technology manager for the Midlands region, Peter Knight, said, “This roadshow is tailored for smaller and medium sized manufacturers considering their first research and development (R&D) projects, and we’re delighted that WMT&R is opening its doors to share its expertise and increased capabilities.
“We’ll be learning how the company’s fatigue and tensile testing capacity and composites testing services have all increased, as well as viewing its upgraded metallography laboratory, enhanced machining capabilities and laboratory information management system (LIMS).”
Recent Make Your Ideas Happen roadshows have involved aerospace manufacturers across the Midlands, including aerospace giant Meggitt, Marshalls Aerospace, ITP Engines UK and Telford-based Advanced Chemical Etchings (ACE).
This may be the last chance for companies to get involved in NATEP, as the final call for funding is only open until May 14, 2015.
May 1, 2015
