Testng services provider Element has partnered with Rolls-Royce to introduce spin testing capabilities at its Warwick laboratory in the UK
Spin testing is carried out to ensure that when centrifugal forces subjected to the spinning components of an aero engine those components remain in place and operate reliably – i.e. they do not destabilize and burst out of their casing. As such it is an integral part of aero-engine development.
Spin testing is used to demonstrate the capability of aero engines to withstand higher loads and deliver component longevity and improved efficiency. The testing is conducted on any rotating part of an aircraft, including gears and motors, and is done in specially protected vacuum chambers where high rotational speeds can be achieved.
Element’s laboratory in Berlin, Germany, offers a range of spin testing services for the aerospace sector, but the new equipment at Warwick secures an additional spin testing facility for UK-based customers, offering greater efficiency for customers, said the company.
The small-scale spin testing machine at Element’s Warwick site has been built using funding from Rolls-Royce and the UK Government as part of the CRUISE (Certifying RR1073 for Ultrafan Implementation and Strategic Exploitation) program. The facilities will initially be used to support Rolls-Royce programs and will then be made available to a wider range of customers.
Matt Hopkinson, executive vice president EMEAA at Element said, “Spin testing is one of our core capabilities for aerospace customers in Europe, and we are thrilled to bring this pioneering testing to the UK through our partnership with Rolls-Royce. This will widen the range of services available to UK businesses and supports innovation and R&D in the sector.
“Manufacturers in the aerospace sector are continuously developing new methods and materials to support engine weight reduction. This partnership means we now have the capabilities to offer Rolls- Royce and other UK-based customers this integral testing procedure to deliver longer service life and ultimately improve passenger safety.”
Yee Han Tai, chief project engineer – next gen disc alloy and rotatives R&T (UK) from Rolls-Royce said, “The team at Warwick will help Rolls-Royce conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its next generation disc alloy in shorter timescales. Having a more accessible facility will also enable closer collaboration to develop expanded data acquisition and measurement capabilities.”
According to Element, its Warwick laboratory has the largest capability for environmental testing in the UK and serves aerospace, military, transportation, energy and industrial manufacturers.