Breakthrough COMPipe to be unveiled at Farnborough International Airshow

A revolutionary composite pipe for use in aero-engine environments will be making its debut at the Farnborough International Airshow on 14 July 2014 on Stand B14, Hall 1.

Developed by Sigma Components as part of a €1.8m Clean Sky funded project over the last 18 months, the COMPipe has passed preliminary tests, delivering weight savings of up to 50 per cent in initial trials.

Able to operate at the elevated temperatures and pressures of aero-engine environments, COMPipe can be formed into a 3D shape, replicating existing pipe geometry. It is now entering the final stages of testing, due for completion in Autumn 2014.

Mike Andreae, Director of Technology and Improvement at Sigma Components, said: “Farnborough will be the industry’s first chance to see COMPipe and we’re confident that we’ll be able to announce significant weight savings at the Airshow. We believe this project is a great example of how UK aerospace companies are delivering ground-breaking innovations, which will have global impact. In fact, we have already received interest In COMPipe and the technologies involved from other markets and there is definitely potential for spin off projects in due course.”

The two year project has been undertaken in conjunction with TWI Ltd, and Sigma’s team of design and project management engineers have been working closely with a number of subcontractors, research organisations and universities to develop these solutions. The team has been able to optimise a process to manufacture thin-walled, non-porous composite pipes that can be reformed into the exact 3D shapes required for aerospace applications.

Mike added: “This R&D project has been technically very challenging and our engineering team has worked tirelessly on a number of potential solutions to deliver the lightest pipe structure. But we haven’t stopped there. We’ve also developed new end fittings to connect the pipes with other engine components using a combination of metal and polymer materials that can be used within both composite and metallic pipe systems.”

Mark Johnson, Managing Director of Sigma Components and Avingtrans’ aerospace division, commented: “As well as being a very significant step for the aerospace industry, this marks a very important step-change for Sigma Components. COMPipe puts Sigma at the forefront of technological developments in the industry and building an R&D pedigree.  Going forward, we will be looking at many more ways to work in partnership with our customers to invest in innovation.”

Throughout the Airshow, the Sigma team will be offering customers the chance to discuss the COMPipe project or find out more about its range of aerospace pipes ducts and fabricated assemblies, specialist aerospace fasteners and composite components. For further information, visit the website.