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09/12/2011
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After seven months of work, AIC group is putting the finishing touches to making 125 tonnes of reclaimed equipment operational for the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol.
 Equipment includes: a large autoclave weighing 90 tonnes, including a 30,000 litre water cooling system; a nitrogen generating plant (with a 30 tonne receiver); a small autoclave (17 tonnes); a hydraulic hot-press (10 tonnes); a double diaphragm hot drape former (15 tonnes); and two curing ovens.
It was moved from Airbus' facility in Filton, while at the same time ensuring the NCC had access to a production autoclave throughout.
According to NCC operations director Rob Ludford, it took four months to re-install the large autoclave, which operates at 400oC and 200psi, the hot press, water cooling system and nitrogen pressurising plant, comprising a 30 tonne receiver, three compressors and a nitrogen generator.
Meanwhile, moving the hot-drape former presented particular challenges, not least because it uses 2,500 light bulbs as its curing heat source.
"By working closely with NCC staff AIC was able to maintain capability and continuity of service to our customers by eliminating downtime across two sites," comments Ludford.
And AIC project manager Adrian Kelley adds: "I am particularly pleased, from a project management point of view, that we got [this project] right – right quality at the right time at the right budget. We consistently hit deadlines and worked well in partnership with great teams at the NCC, Airbus and AET Transport."
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Author
Brian Tinham
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