BEL Engineering has commenced manufacture of a key part for a major UK aerospace project due for flight test operations in 2025.
Featuring new architectures and innovative technological improvements, the project will deliver engine solutions for future aircraft applications setting new benchmarks in efficiency, environmental performance and precision engineering.
In order to provide a solution for the engine’s torsion box, design engineers at BEL Engineering took part in design for manufacture sessions with the customer over a two year period. Used within the demonstrator engine, the torsion box is a structural component that provides torsional stiffness at the base of the fan outlet guide vane.
Various components were manufactured at BEL Engineering before being welded together at the customer’s site. The components will then then be returned for final machining and assembly operations, as well as to incorporate the casing of the torsion box into the final structure.
Phil Westgarth, Chief Production Engineer at BEL Engineering, said: “This project tested our manufacturing engineering capability and demonstrated how we can add value through involvement in the complete design lifecycle of the component.
“We adapted our manufacturing process to accommodate the design changes and provided regular manufacturing feedback to the customer as progress was made.”
Manufacture is still ongoing, however BEL Engineering has delivered various pre-weld components to meet the demanding engine build schedule.
