“We’re proud to have developed this machine for GKN Aerospace,” says Jim Harty, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Automated Dynamics. “Our ability to tailor automation of fibre placement and tape laying equipment provide production-ready solutions for our clients and helps them realise a rapid return-on-investment. We’re confident this will be the case for GKN.”

The machine has been installed in GKN’s new pre-production facility on the Isle of Wight, UK, which will be at the heart of the next developments in the Environmental Lightweight Fan (ELF) research programme. The programme’s goal is to develop an all-composite engine fan blade that will improve aircraft engine performance and reduce emissions.

Automated Dynamics’ equipment will help GKN Aerospace effectively manufacture the complex aero-engine structures.

Automated Dynamics, headquartered in Schenectady, New York, USA, manufactures advanced composite structures and high performance composite processing equipment, including automated fibre placement and automated tape laying machines.