Faculty of Engineering, University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE)

Citation

(2001), "Faculty of Engineering, University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE)", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773aab.002

Faculty of Engineering, University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE)

Faculty of Engineering, University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE)

Keywords: AAU, Education, Engineering, University of the West of England

For nearly a century, the City of Bristol has been the West Country's regional centre for aerospace engineering. Since the famous Bristol Boxkite of 1910, the skies over the city have been filled with famous aircraft built at the aerospace metropolis at Filton: the Bristol Bulldog, Blenheim Bomber, Bristol Freighter, Brabazon, Britannia and Concorde, to name but a few. The University of the West of England is just a few minutes' drive away and, therefore, it is perhaps not surprising that a number of its departments are engaged on major aerospace activities. In particular, the Faculties of Engineering, Economics and Social Science and the Bristol Business School all contribute to the region's aerospace industry.

The Faculty of Engineering offers a range of BEng courses including a unique Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering degree. Furthermore, UWE, in collaboration with several other local universities, offers a modularised MSc in Total Aerospace Technology. All courses integrate the high technical content of aerospace engineering with modules that demonstrate the importance of project management and business awareness, an essential feature of today's globalised aerospace industry.

Of particular significance is the Faculty of Engineering's Aerospace Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Established in 1994, it provides, through its research, scientific solutions and support to both airframe and aeroengine manufacturers. Its creation was timely, in particular with respect to the recently announced decision to proceed with the long awaited giant Airbus, the A3XX, and the military transport carrier, the A400M, for, although flight speed and altitude will be similar to other Airbus aircraft, materials and manufacturing techniques will be revolutionary. Indeed, the manufacturing demands of such products have finally eclipsed even the renowned standards of craftsmanship found in the aerospace industry and manufacturing has now become the reserve of science; hence AMRC's involvement in a number of related research programmes. For example, AMRC is developing new techniques for superplastic forming and diffusion bonding (SPF/DB), new interactive software tools for composite cost modelling, new cutting methodologies for ultra-high speed machining and improved robotics for aircraft wiring loom manufacturing.

The Faculty is unusual in having an integrated structure in which manufacturing, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering all work together. This holistic approach to engineering, which reflects the multidisciplinary application of technology used in the aerospace industry, has enabled multiple skilled teams of academics to investigate and try to seek solutions to problems. In addition, well equipped laboratories with modern CNC machine tools, laser facilities, a metrology laboratory with CMM capability, SPF/DB press with advanced gas control system, CAD suite, together with 28 highly skilled technicians all provide an ideal environment for aerospace research.

For further information, please contact: Alan Jocelyn, Director, Aerospace Manufacturing Research Centre. Tel: 44 (0)117 344 3500; Fax: 44 (0)117 344 3636; E-mail: alan.jocelyn@uwe.ac.uk