National Composites Centre launches UK's large structures innovation facility

The open-access centre is for industry to design, develop and de-risk large, next-generation structures at full scale.

Part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the centre will provide companies creating large, complex components the space, equipment and specialist engineering expertise to accelerate.

The Large Structures Innovation Centre (LSIC) is said to combine integrated design and full-scale demonstration to support sectors such as wind, construction and maritime.

It will help industry access capabilities to advance technology innovation across the engineering lifecycle, from concept to end-of-life.

The centre will first focus on wind. It is intended to bridge the gap between laboratory and factory, by offering access to advanced automation, improved process contro and facilities capable of handling full-scale blades.

NCC Chief Executive Richard Oldfield says, 'The LSIC is about creating connected pathways that turn world-class research into industrial reality.

'The UK has exceptional research and talent but has lacked the infrastructure to deliver large-scale innovation.

'The LSIC changes that, providing the physical and digital capabilities to build the next generation of high-performance large structures right here in the UK.'