Advanced Technology Development
AeroEdge Research and Development Policy
To keep providing value to the society over several decades, and to achieve discontinuous growth, we are working on the development of elemental technologies as seeds for next-generation businesses.
R&D plan is linked to corporate strategy, technology trends, and a global paradigm shift. The best alliance with other leading edge companies, institutions, academia, governments will be established.
Development of Addtive Manufacturing
In Europe, the research and development of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology has been accelerated and has already entered the industrialization phase. The aviation industry is the one of leading industry in AM, and AM parts are already being used in commercial aircraft engine parts. In the automotive industry, AM products have already intalled in motor sports and high-end cars, and it is expected that many cars will be equipped with AM products in the near future. AM products are also being used in medical devices such as artificial joints and teeth.
AeroEdge is developing prototypes and consulting services using existing AM technology, and is also working on academic research as our own project. We define aircraft parts as one of the goals, keep understanding the effect of build parameters on mechanical characteristics, acquiring data for development a simulation technology, new design method with AM (DfAM; Design for AM), and utilizing AI in those technology areas.
X-ray image analysis software development
The shortage of skilled workers in non-destructive inspection area of the Japanese aerospace industry is one of the major issue that preventing the its growth. It takes a long time to train highly specialized personnel to carry out the inspection work. In addition, the inspection process forces a long period of concentration and the overuse of the eyes in a dark room environment.
Aiming to solve these problems, we are developing automatic inspection system with digital technology such as AI, which has made remarkable progress in recent years. In parallel, we are taking actions to get certification for the inspection process, which is especially essential in the aircraft industry.
Materials Development
Collaborating with the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), AeroEdge has been conducting research and development on new titanium-aluminum alloy and manufacturing technologies for jet engine components.
Titanium aluminum, as a lightweight and heat-resistant alloy, has been applied to low-pressure turbine blades of some commercial jet engines in recent dacades, and further expansion of market is expected to realize a carbon-neutral society. We are working on research to reduce the manufacturing cost of titanium-aluminum and to improve the mechanical properties.
