Aircelle – a company of the Safran group and a Burnley Bondholder – is a world-leading supplier of nacelle systems, which are vital components for the safe and efficient operation of the jet engines utilized on airliners, regional jets and business aircraft.
The Aircelle Ltd. facility at Burnley is one of Aircelle’s key industrial sites. Its new clean room will serve as an important contribution to Aircelle’s ramp-up of nacelle system production for next-generation jetliners, in particular the new Airbus A320neo – which involves one of the aviation industry’s most rapid manufacturing accelerations to meet this twin-engine aircraft’s global sales success.
Aircelle is applying leading-edge technologies to achieve the manufacturing ramp-up of its nacelle systems – and to ensure the highest quality from their entry in service. This includes the increased use of robotics and automated processes, further improvements in workplace ergonomics, and focussed training for workers.
These enhancements at Burnley are raising its manufacturing standards to new levels and is increasing Aircelle Ltd.’s flexibility in handling the A320neo program’s production demands of today – and positions it for potential new programmes in the future.
Burnley is benefitting from significant Aircelle investments, along with support from the UK government – including its Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) to help rebuild British manufacturing Capabilities, which will create a British aerospace composites centre of excellence led by Aircelle Ltd.
Aircelle, Ltd.’s new clean room at a glance:
- Purpose: Production of composite structures for Aircelle’s jet engine nacelle systems, in particular the inner fixed structure (IFS) for Airbus’ new-generation A320neo airliners.
- Size: 978 square metres for the clean room; along with an environmentally monitored area, tool and personnel vestibules, and a plant room to service the new facility
- Equipment: Systems include robotic automated fibre placement machines for the creation of composite material layers, and adjustable scissor-lift workstations for improved worker ergonomics during production.