The objective of the Aeronautics Advanced Manufacturing Centre (CFAA) is develop advanced manufacturing technologies and transfer them to our industrial companies which are highly oriented towards aeronautical and machine tool sector. The centre also acts as an intersection of ideas and advancement for agencies and companies with capabilities, interests, and businesses in the aeronautical engines and structural components sector.
CFAA focuses on the end applications of aeronautics production, without forgetting the generation, use and fine-tuning of new knowledge in advanced manufacturing techniques. Therefore, it is not only an initiation of joint interest as a driving force for technology, but also a new model for university-company relationships. Concepts like R&R Ultrafan demonstrator, FCAS and other advances turbofan engines are our targets.
This approach aims to advance current levels of technological development associated in the sphere of universities (MRL, Manufacturing Readiness Levels 2 to 5) to levels of technological readiness in sufficiently representative environments (MRL levels 6 to 8), which are closer to the production needs of companies. The applicability of knowledge is particularly significant to this project and centre.
Current activities performed by the CFAA:
- Industrial demonstration: accelerate the introduction of new products into manufacturing
- Re-engineering of existing production processes to develop alternatives and enhanced processes.
- Demonstration and application of new horizontal technology developments for measuring, machining, connections, tooling, etc
- Industrial validation of projects to reduce risks and deadlines, enabling the demonstration of the technical and economic feasibility of investments before their implementation into production.
- Manufacturing of prototypes for functional product demonstrations, including the possibility of manufacturing the test bench itself.
- Design and validation of specific aeronautical equipment with the aim of carrying out machining tests on parts; the validation of the performance of machines and improvements in the manufacturing processes of these parts.
- Promotion of postgraduate education towards specialization in the field of advanced manufacturing technologies, performed in close collaboration with the companies and sectors linked to the centre.
- Open new lines of R&D&I in the field of advanced manufacturing technologies in collaboration with companies and sectors involved in the centre, which contributes to the development of projects for the European Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
- Implement Collaborative PhD theses to facilitate contacts with other similar centres at an internal level, which encourage the internationalization of the CFAA.
New advanced aeronautical manufacturing technologies include aspects such as manufacturing, control, monitoring, and planning technologies. Currently, cutting-edge machine tool technology has a prominent presence at the centre, as it is a sector of national strategic importance. Machine manufacturers are also motivated by the improvement of their production processes, as they have the opportunity to test new designs, concepts, and machine tool capabilities.
The machines, technologies and projects developed are defined with greater precision in another section, but, in general, they can be categorized into the following groups:
- High-performance machining processes, incorporating concepts of multi-axis machining, multitasking, precision and high-speed machining. There are two multiprocess turning machines that are oriented towards the machining of large revolution-shaped parts. The CFAA also has another two 5-axis multitasking machining centres.
- Non-conventional processes, such as EDM and Laser mechanisms.
- Metal additive manufacturing. The CFAA is capable of working with common additive manufacturing technologies and it also has all necessary safety precautions to work safely with metal powders. 2 Renishaw SLM machines.
- Special robotized welding processes.
- Inspection, contact/not contact measurement.
- CAM software and virtual manufacturing.
- Grinding and finishing processes.
- Advanced integration of models, simulation, monitoring and results prediction of the processes.
- Integration of the information in line with the so-called industry 4.0 initiative.
CFAA has a close association with the Ideko research centre and companies.
