First it was self-driving cars and now we’re talking about autonomous flight as if we’re ordering pizza. It’s been all over the news and talks around the watercooler are more interesting than ever. Boeing’s acquisition of Aurora and a stake in Zunum Aero is set to take place this year. The overall consensus is that the aerospace industry is in for a major change.
The future of aerial combat is no longer a figment of our imagination but more a reality. Global powerhouses are turning to drone technology even more to further strengthen their military prowess. Kratos drones are just one of many companies doing some groundbreaking work.
Kratos drones were featured at the recent Paris Air Show offering an insight into the future of unmanned aerial combat. With the associated price tag of a manned fighter jet reaching $100 million, UAV’s could be the low-cost option going forward.
Military institutions all over the world are constantly looking for ways to develop the next generation of weapons. These include tech like new combat helmets with HUD (heads-up display), improved body armor, future battleships, drones capable of delivering a deadly punch. Or what about a prototype hoverboard called the Flyboard Air for personal flight?
It’s also referred to as an Independent Propulsion Unit (IPU). It’s the result of a 4 year long research and development project headed by inventor Franky Zapata. Better known for the Water Flyboard he invented five years ago, more recent projects include
PRV Engineering believe that investment and improvement is the key to their success. Whilst the purchase of new machinery requires a large financial investment CEO Simon Jones believes it is well worth it. Customer service and quality is top of the agenda at PRV Engineering and to achieve the highest levels of both, continuous review of existing machinery is needed, as well as a good understanding of what new equipment is capable of. And it’s not just equipment that requires investment; staff and premises get the same treatment.
Following the latest machinery purchase MTDCNC TV paid a visit to PRV Engineering to talk about the reasons behind the purchase of those particular machines. Whilst there, they asked Simon a few questions about PRV Engineering and manufacturing in general.
Vehicles from those old sci fi films are increasingly becoming a reality. Driverless cars, autonomous boats and all sorts of drones are regularly in the news. The latest to hit the headlines is the Hoverbike.
The Hoverbike (which is in fact a quad copter) started life way back in 2014 and was funded by a Kickstarter campaign. Development on the Hoverbike, continued into 2015 and following a test flight of their prototype at the Paris air show, UK company Malloy Aeronautics paired up with American engineering company SURVICE to deliver a Hoverbike for the US Department of Defence.
As we approach the year end we thought we’d take a look back at some of the new and innovative engineering stories and reports that came out this year.
There were some astounding breakthroughs in the medical and healthcare sectors as well as enhancements in the more run of the mill procedures.
Osseo integration (the practice of using pins to implant directly into the bone) has been in the news throughout the year. Despite many successful surgeries overseas, growth in the use of the procedure has been relatively slow. A UK pilot of the procedure for military personnel who have lost limbs launched in September this year. If successful it is hoped the use of the procedure can be adopted more widely.
Improvements in manufacturing processes and capabilities allow for more complex and diverse solutions to be thought up for an increasing number of problems. The ability to cut and machine smaller and more complex parts using modern techniques like waterjet cutting, 3D printing and various multi axis machines, combined with software developments mean this is becoming increasingly evident in the medical and pharmaceutical world. The ability to make one off, custom implants and limb replacements for specific patient needs is opening up a whole new world.
When we think of the technical developments in F1 and motorsport generally, we can all probably think of an area in the automotive industry where those developments have had an impact. But do you ever think about what or who else benefits of those developments?
If I was to say that the care of premature babies has been impacted by motorsport technical developments you’d probably wonder how. What about supermarkets? How could they possibly benefit from the motorsport industry?
These are only a couple of examples of where motorsport innovation is being used to solve challenges in other industrial sectors.
Whilst the weather may have put a premature end to the day on Monday, the Farnborough International Air Show is back on track with attendance and business at the trade show thriving.
Statistics earlier in the year were predicting one of the most successful shows yet with increased numbers of international participants in the trade show and conferences, and more dedicated country pavilions. In addition to first time country pavilions for Austria, Brazil, Republic of Ireland and China, Boeing has a special pavilion celebrating their centenary which falls on the Friday of the show.
The show has become the UK’s shop window for all things aviation from the civilian, defence and space sectors
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