Wall Colmonoy Limited (UK) is pleased to announce its successful bid for funding from the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) to support its Project EVaCC: Experimental Vacuum Investment Casting Capability.
Project EVaCC aims to develop a cutting-edge Vacuum Precision Investment Casting (VPIC), strengthening the UK’s sovereign capabilities and ensuring a robust supply chain for the Ministry of Defence.
The DTEP grant helps fund the nearly £2M EVaCC project. DTEP is sponsored by the Ministry of Defence’s Directorate of Industrial Strategy and Exports (DISE) and delivered through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and Innovate UK.
The addition of VPIC casting technology will greatly enhance Wall Colmonoy’s capabilities, enabling the production of next-generation aerospace components.
Wall Colmonoy Limited and Rolls-Royce Bristol will partner on retrofitting this technology, leveraging over 100 years of combined metallurgical expertise.
“This investment represents a significant milestone for Wall Colmonoy Limited,” states Dr. Chris Weirman, Technical Director. “It will enable us to meet the Ministry of Defence’s critical needs while advancing the UK’s defence and aerospace capabilities.”
“Wall Colmonoy are committed to the future of UK manufacturing and developing supply chain resilience to protect sovereign capabilities for a wide range of industrial applications on the global stage. Building upon our core competencies of producing specialist alloys, we have a unique value proposition to offer our customers,” explains Michael Shreeve, Business Unit Manager – Precision Components.
Preparations for the VPIC are underway. Once operational, Wall Colmonoy Limited will produce complex vacuum castings using nickel-based superalloys, critical for most engine programmes. A key innovation will be the implementation of microstructural refinement technology, improving mechanical performance, allowing for more design flexibility with the goal of achieving thinner aerofoil sections and improved fuel efficiency.
Preparing to break ground for the new Vacuum Precision Investment Casting (VPIC) Equipment at our European HQ.
Over the next 12 months, Wall Colmonoy and Rolls-Royce team members will address challenges and push the boundaries of innovation. Together, they aim to deliver engine ready components, laying the foundation for a decade-long collaboration in advanced casting technology.
This breakthrough initiative exemplifies Wall Colmonoy’s commitment to advanced casting technologies and supporting the UK’s defence and aerospace industries.
