As a Tier One member of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) (www.amrc.co.uk), the Ceratizit Group is active in developing new technologies to improve productivity for a range of industrial sectors, including the expanding and evolving aerospace sector.

A recent workshop held at the AMRC was attended by 45 engineering specialists from Ceratizit Group companies, representing 14 countries in which the company is active in the aerospace sector.

In addition to bringing together some of the best technical engineers under one roof to share product and application insights, the workshop gave the Ceratizit engineers the opportunity to hear keynote speakers Jamie McGourlay (Rolls-Royce’s technology partnership manager at the AMRC) and Stuart Dawson (AMRC chief technical officer) present their thoughts on the future direction of aerospace manufacturing.

Mr McGourlay focused on Rolls-Royce’s five-, 10- and 20-year strategic vision for civil-aircraft engines, emphasising the challenges being faced to deliver dramatic reductions in C02, NOx and noise emissions.

This will involve new materials and new machining technologies, and it will create many opportunities for tooling manufacturers.

Mr Dawson highlighted the potential for the electrification of air transport, with fully electric aircraft for short-haul routes and hybrids for long-haul.

Driving this are countries like Norway, which is mandating short-haul all-electric flights with zero emissions by 2040.

Key participants in this move are established businesses such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens; they are aiming to provide all-electric passenger aircraft in the A320 class.

These companies are joined by new entrants to the market, like Wright Electric. Advances in battery technology and lightweight electric motors will be at the forefront of this development.