Rolls-Royce to create composite technology hub in Bristol

Rolls-Royce has announced that Bristol will be the location for a centre of advanced fan system composite technology development, creating a hub of composite knowledge in the UK. The hub will benefit from manufacturing techniques being developed in partnership with the National Composites Centre (NCC), part of the University of Bristol. It will also be boosted by research being conducted at the University's Rolls-Royce Composites University Technology Centre to provide validated analysis methods for the design and manufacture of composites components. The advanced manufacturing facility will be at the forefront of developing the next generation of fan blades and fan cases, made of carbon-fibre composite materials, for Rolls-Royce's future aero-engines. The Rolls-Royce CTi (carbon/titanium) blades are a key feature of the new Advance engine design, unveiled last year, which will offer at least 20 per cent less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than the first generation of the Trent aero-engine. The blades and associated composite engine casings will form part of the new CTi fan system that could reduce weight by up to 1,500 lb per aircraft, the equivalent of carrying seven more passengers and their luggage. The processes used in their CTi manufacturing technology capability on the Isle of Wight composites facility were developed within Rolls-Royce and through work carried out at the NCC , a world-leading research and technology hub owned by the University of Bristol.