OLIVER (Optimised Laser welding Implementation Via Enabling Research
Lead Participant:
CAV ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Abstract
Current socio-economic pressures on the global civil aerospace industry are increasing the utilisation of
titanium in aero-structures. Production of parts by existing methods leads to inefficient buy-to-fly ratios (as
high as 20:1), which is becoming increasingly uneconomical (high material cost & labour intensive; leading to
high repeat costs, long lead times & design constraints) and driving the need for structures to be fabricated by
near-net-shape welding processes. Laser welding is emerging as the process of choice since it can produce low
distortion welds of good quality and properties at significantly faster speeds than other welding processes. The
OLIVER project will further develop knowledge in laser welding titanium and its application to structural
aerospace assemblies, and at the same time exploit this knowledge by developing UK manufacturing capability
both within the UK supply chain and OEMs. Project OLIVER includes 2 OEM case studies which represent first-
to-market opportunities for the technologies to be developed. A further case study is included which will
demonstrate the capability of laser welding a strut component in a revolutionary titanium-composite.
titanium in aero-structures. Production of parts by existing methods leads to inefficient buy-to-fly ratios (as
high as 20:1), which is becoming increasingly uneconomical (high material cost & labour intensive; leading to
high repeat costs, long lead times & design constraints) and driving the need for structures to be fabricated by
near-net-shape welding processes. Laser welding is emerging as the process of choice since it can produce low
distortion welds of good quality and properties at significantly faster speeds than other welding processes. The
OLIVER project will further develop knowledge in laser welding titanium and its application to structural
aerospace assemblies, and at the same time exploit this knowledge by developing UK manufacturing capability
both within the UK supply chain and OEMs. Project OLIVER includes 2 OEM case studies which represent first-
to-market opportunities for the technologies to be developed. A further case study is included which will
demonstrate the capability of laser welding a strut component in a revolutionary titanium-composite.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
CAV ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED | £391,998 | £ 235,199 |
  | ||
Participant |
||
INNOVATE UK | ||
THE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED | ||
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE | £249,739 | £ 249,739 |
TISICS LIMITED | £193,650 | £ 135,561 |
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST | £246,605 | £ 246,605 |
LEONARDO UK LTD | £74,332 | £ 37,166 |
TWI LIMITED | £250,000 | £ 250,000 |
AGUSTAWESTLAND LIMITED | £8,016 | £ 4,008 |
People |
ORCID iD |
Kathryn Nicholson (Project Manager) |