Dream ticket

Aerospace engineers at Sheffield University are using novel manufacturing techniques which could mean lighter, stronger landing gears for future aircraft. The research — to develop titanium landing gear parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner — could have significant effects on the aircraft’s fuel economy.

‘It’s a real boost to the system when research results in environmental benefits that complement the cost savings which often are the sole drivers behind our work,’ said Adrian Allen, director of Boeing’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) a £15m partnership between Boeing and the university’s Faculty of Engineering. Specialising in materials forming, metal working and castings, the department also carries out research into composite materials.

The centre was responding to a challenge from Colin Sirett, program manager for Messier-Dowty, which makes aircraft landing gear. Sirett wanted to see whether it was feasible to make landing gear parts for the Dreamliner from a new grade of titanium alloy, Ti5553.