Columbia, S.C. – The Ronald E. McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research, a University of South Carolina center, is beginning a formal research partnership with Fokker Aerostructures, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based Fokker Technologies, to support and inspire their development of next-generation aircraft technology.
The multi-year research agreement establishes a framework to collaborate on projects that meet the needs of Fokker Aerostructures and its customers. Specific project details are being finalized, and likely will involve the development of advanced manufacturing technology for thermoplastic composites, using Digital Image Correlation to better understand failure mechanisms and certification strategies for the use of new advanced composite structures.
This is the Fokker’s first partnership with an American university research center.
The McNair Center, which opened in 2011, has 27 contributing researchers working in a wide range of aerospace related research fields. The goal of the partnership is to develop and commercialize new technology, processes and methods and take products to market through licensing agreements.
Richard Cobben, vice president technology and Rob Kruithof, director of global Engineering for Fokker Aerostructures, say two things attracted the company to McNair – geography and existing research expertise.
“South Carolina is an interesting environment because there are so many aeronautics companies located nearby, such as Gulfstream, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Cessna, and Honda jet, and many of their suppliers. McNair is situated in the center of all of that activity,” Cobben said.
In addition to the research agreement, Fokker Aerostructures will join the McNair Center’s Strategic Advisory Board, which is chartered to help build and validate McNair’s future research roadmaps.
This Research Agreement is the result of a comprehensive six month effort, to establish and develop McNair’s capabilities and expertise with Fokker officials. It also represents a significant coordination effort across various offices and functions at USC. Marty Keaney, executive director of the McNair Center, gave credit to the extended McNair team of researchers, staff, and business offices from across USC. “The level of professionalism and enthusiasm from the USC family made developing this research concept smooth and successful,” Keaney said.
The McNair Center’s research involves a wide range of areas, including: analysis and design; polymeric, metallic and ceramic composites; lightweight metals; stir friction welding and processing; advanced composite structures and certification, durability, fatigue analysis; and health monitoring and condition based maintenance of lightweight structures.
Source: University of South Carolina