Background
Rolls-Royce is one of the most celebrated names in engineering throughout the world and is currently the world’s number two civil aerospace engine maker.
There are approximately 10,450 Rolls-Royce civil jet engines in service, and with more than 500 airlines using Rolls-Royce power, the company has a 30 per cent market share of the global business in commercial jet engines. It offers the most comprehensive range of civil engines, powering over 30 aircraft types from entry-level business jets to the latest wide-bodied airliners, including the new Airbus A380 super-jumbo.
As well as building engines, Rolls-Royce provides repair, overhaul, maintenance and component refurbishment services for 47 aero engine types in civil and military markets. The company’s global network of 16 facilities overhauls more than 1,500 engines and 4,500 modules each year for 400 customers, and manages approximately 55 per cent of the repair and overhaul of its own installed base of civil aero engines.
Testing Engines
Each engine built or repaired by Rolls-Royce must undergo a thorough assessment on one of the company’s production test beds, in order to meet strict safety criteria, before it can be released to the customer. For over 25 years, Rolls-Royce has been using MODCOMP technology to run engine tests at the company’s facility in Derby.
Each test bed is controlled by a remote computer linked to a centralised host. The remote computer downloads the operational software for each test from the host and uploads the test data back to the host on completion of each engine test.
Rolls-Royce uses MODCOMP technology to run four of its test beds at its Derby base, which assesses approximately 500 new and repaired engines every year.
Smooth Running
Every engine manufactured or repaired by Rolls-Royce must be delivered to the customer on time to avoid the heavy penalties imposed for delays. Because of this it is absolutely essential that every stage of the production line, including the test beds, runs efficiently.
Martin Aldridge, System Support Engineer at Rolls-Royce in Derby explains; “As a supplier to both the major aeroplane manufacturers, we have to be able to co-ordinate perfectly with their production lines. By the time an engine gets to the test bed the customer is ready for it, so there is no room for delays as the penalties can be substantial. It’s absolutely crucial for our business that the test beds are working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
In order to ensure the test beds run efficiently and to help avoid delays, MODCOMP staff have provided ongoing support to Rolls-Royce for over 25 years. As well as running regular checks on the main systems in place, MODCOMP has built a backup system which can be brought online and utilised immediately in the event of any problems.
Martin continues: “As well as being on site maintaining the technology on a weekly basis, if we have any problems at all MODCOMP are always on call and are very quick to respond. For over 25 years we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship together.”
About Modcomp
Founded in 1970, MODCOMP has been providing data acquisition and system integration solutions for over thirty years, to a wide variety of markets as diverse as retail, financial, government, aerospace, energy, utilities, factory automation, broadcast and communications. MODCOMP is an international company with a world-class reputation for bringing quality, high-performance innovations to its customers.