BAE Systems autoclave renewal saves 20 per cent energy 01 November 2013

BAE Systems' massive 5.5m x 14m autoclave is back in action – having been completely refurbished by AIC Group – with an anticipated 10 more years of life and energy consumption cut by 20%.

It's been a major undertaking with a team of 10 AIC civil, control, instrument, design and project engineers, as well as all the trades, spending a total of more than 10,000 hours over seven months on site.

Ben Gregory, BAE Systems' senior facilities engineer, explains that the equipment is essential to ensuring its carbon fibre business can deliver on its workload.

"AIC ... provided and delivered a cost-effective solution, compared to a new system with the same specification requirements," states Gregory.

"The end result has been an autoclave with a higher than original specifications and, coupled with the new AMCS control system, it will see the autoclave continue to run for another 10 years, with improved efficiency and control," he adds.

The machine, which was originally installed in the early 1990s, has been substantially improved, notably with the installation of inverter-driven electric motors, where applicable, to reduce energy usage.

Gregory also points to the heating system, which was replaced to enhance the performance of the autoclave, while an uprated water-cooling system is intended to deliver increased cooling capability.

Further improvements and efficiencies have been achieved by introducing AIC's AMCS (autoclave management and control system) software and hardware.

"This was a huge project: we had to combine our technical engineering skills with organisational and project management capabilities," states Tim Denison, AIC's operations director.

"We are pleased that BAe Systems now has an efficient autoclave that will last for years to come, and that this project was delivered on time and within budget."

Gregory says it went well: "Throughout this major refurbishment project, AIC were on hand to listen to our concerns and, on a number of occasions, were able to modify the agreed specification at short notice for the ultimate benefit of the project."

And he adds: "AIC were able to act as the principle contractor on the project so, from a client point of view, they were able to manage all site operations, including the health and safety, scheduling and the use of sub-contractors, with minimal client interaction."

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
AIC Group
BAE Systems

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