A&M EDM, precision engineering sub-contractors based in the West Midlands has supported GKN Aerospace by manufacturing key components for a ground-breaking research and development project.
GKN Aerospace is a leading global tier one supplier of airframe and engine structures, landing gear, electrical interconnection systems, transparencies, and aftermarket services.
GKN Aerospace’s flagship H2GEAR research and development programme has worked to develop a ground-breaking liquid hydrogen propulsion system for zero-emission sub-regional aircraft. The system uses cryogenic liquid hydrogen which is converted into electricity via a fuel cell system to power an electrical network and cryogenic electric motors, with the only emission by-product being water vapour.
A&M successfully manufactured, machined and welded the outer casing segments for GKN Aerospace’s cryogenically cooled electric motor concept demonstrator.
Made from aluminium, approaching a metre in diameter and featuring complex feedthrough features, A&M’s excellent craftsmanship met the tight tolerances necessary to enable these large sections to be considered suitable for a high vacuum, cryogenic application.
The journey to receiving these parts has been collaborative, engaging and enabling. A UK manufacturing supply chain success story worthy of celebration.
H2GEAR is led from GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre, in Bristol, UK. The £54m programme is supported by £27m of UK Aerospace Technology Institute funding, matched by GKN Aerospace in collaboration with industry and academic partners.
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