Big Ideas – Giant Impact on Engine Weight

This year's Rolls-Royce Innovation Award was presented to a pioneering technology for its potential to significantly advance engine development through innovative lightweight design solutions. The technology, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) as part of the Aviation Research Programme (LuFo V), is a result of the project ‘Digitally synchronised development architecture for the product development process – PEP4.0’, in which the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG and CTC GmbH, researched new methods for improving the design processes of complex lightweight structures using the example of a next-generation engine housing.

The main objective of the project was to research technologies for hybrid structures made of metal/fibre/plastic composites and to increase efficiency in the development process by shortening development time and minimizing potential risks. This was achieved through a digitally networked product development process (PEP4.0) that integrates methods, models and data (MMD) from various disciplines – design, analysis and production – into a standardized development framework. This concept enables seamless data processing and analysis, linking virtual and real development elements.

The Rolls-Royce Innovation Award-winning technology enables significant advances in the development of lightweight engine components. By using hybrid material technologies and a digital product development process, the project sets new standards in terms of development speed and structural efficiency. Based on the concept (TRL 1), proof of functionality in a laboratory environment was provided within the project duration (TRL 4). The first place in the "Innovation" category complements the second place in the "Patents" category from 2023.

This recognition underlines the importance of cutting-edge innovation in engineering and the pursuit of more sustainable and capable solutions in aerospace and other industries. We congratulate the award winners and look forward to a continued successful collaboration with Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG and CTC GmbH!