Earlier this year on July 22nd, M-CNC exhibited for the first time at the Farnborough International Air Show – and the event was an enormous success. The aerospace industry was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so we were certainly keen to return to face-to-face networking at this world famous air show and exhibition. Rolls-Royce unveiled an exciting new project at the air show – a project that M-CNC Engineering contributed towards.
In under 18 months, the Rolls-Royce Defence business designed, built and ran an extremely innovative small engine concept. The ambitious project is known as Orpheus, and it represents a new approach to gas turbine development that will transform the way technologies for the UK’s Future Combat Air Strategy (FCAS) are made.
The development of the Orpheus uses a completely agile approach, and the first demonstrator engine concept was built nearly twice as quickly as a conventional engine programme. Its creation represents a collaboration of highly skilled UK manufacturers and engineers, with over 30 UK-based businesses working on the project – something that we at M-CNC Engineering are incredibly proud to be a part of.
Leigh Howarth, Business Development Manager for M-CNC, commented: “Seeing the variety of components that M-CNC manufactured and were used in the Orpheus project was very rewarding. It’s also fantastic to see the UK manufacturing industry coming together, pooling their combined skills, enthusiasm and innovation – further proof of the resilience of this fantastic industry.”
We saw at least 30 visitors to our stand on every day of the air show, including visits from several of the prime exhibitioners. Since exhibiting at this year’s Farnborough Air Show, M-CNC Engineering have had many enquiries and signed several NDAs for new and future projects – an exciting development that demonstrates just how valuable events such as Farnborough are for raising a business’s profile and bringing the UK manufacturing industry together.
The show was a fantastic success, with the high point being seeing components made by M-CNC for the Orpheus Engine proudly displayed on the Rolls Royce stand alongside the other engines they’re so famous for. (And the low point possibly being when the air conditioning broke on the second day of the show – in the middle of 40 degree heat.)
We’re looking forward to exhibiting at Advanced Engineering 2022 as part of the ConeX Portal, and continuing our commitment to showcasing the best of UK manufacturing and precision engineering.
