AIC to upgrade two autoclaves

Dorset-based AIC Group (www.aicservice.com) has won an order to upgrade two autoclaves for a Japanese aerospace company with its AMCS (Autoclave Management and Control System) and other features.

One of the autoclaves is 8.5m in diameter and 40m long, which presents unique challenges to ensure even heating and cooling; it is used to cure complete composite wings. The other is 3.5m in diameter and 12m long.

Both are 13 years old, and some of their components are obsolete, so they need to be upgraded to ensure reliability of production. The Japanese company makes 12 sets of wings per month, with each wing costing $2.5 million.