PhD students from the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Composites Science, Engineering and Manufacturing (CoSEM CDT) spent an informative afternoon visiting GKN Aerospace, the original aerospace innovator, in Filton, Bristol.
For decades, GKN Aerospace technologies have inspired and industrialised the aerospace industry, combining engineering excellence and technology leadership. All major aircraft and engine manufacturers rely on their advanced technologies. Their aerostructures, engine systems and special products improve the performance of more than 100,000 flights every day.
The students had the opportunity to network with GKN staff over a lovely lunch, and following this were treated to two interesting presentations, firstly by David Mouatt (GTC Director – Strategy and Operations) and then by Gavin Lunney (Technical Authority – Composites).
Will Mahoney (CoSEM CDT PhD student) finished the session with an update on his GKN Aerospace sponsored industry studentship research project.
The visit culminated with a tour around the Global Technology Centre led by Gavin Lunney (Technical Authority – Composites) and Tim Smith (Senior Research Engineer – Composites) where the students had the chance to ask further questions and have a glimpse into working on the “shop floor”.
James Griffith, third year CoSEM CDT student, said of the visit “Our visit to GKN was a unique opportunity for us, as PhD students, to understand how groundbreaking aerospace advancements are made on an industrial scale and to understand how our research could directly contribute to this in the future”.
Find out more about GKN Aerospace.
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