Sixth Formers work with HS Marstons Aerospace Ltd. to develop new prototype
Earlier this week, Wolverhampton Grammar School Sixth Form students Alex, Carter, Dan, Rohan and Sam journeyed to Loughborough University with Head of Design & Technology, Mr O鈥橫alley, for a two-day Engineering workshop.
The Industrial Cadets Scheme is nationally accredited and partners students with industry-leading experts. The WGS Industrial Cadets team have partnered with HS Marston Aerospace Ltd. to solve a design issue using innovative engineering and problem-solving. We asked Lower Sixth student, Dan, to tell us more about the project:
“Our partner company is HS Marston Aerospace Ltd.; we are designing a new test chamber for their dry matrix test stack (jet engine coolant transport plating their product). To do this we need to overcome various challenges such as: pressure, creating an adequate seal to ensure it is airtight, and the cost of the solution, as well as many other issues. All the research for the product is done by us, then the partner company helps to ensure the data is correct and whether the design will work. We will then produce a final solution and present our design to the owners of the company, which they will then implement into their facility.
In the workshop we were planning to make some basic to-scale models of our initial ideas, then improve upon them during our time at the University. We started by sorting our pre-made pieces, which we cut at school using the laser cutter, into the areas they needed to be in for the start of construction. On the first day we assembled our first two designs and glued them, leaving them to cure overnight. The next day we began the construction of the final and most complex prototype. Loughborough University provided us with all the tools and equipment we needed to finish the prototype, as well as adding improvements and additional detail to them. We used our additional time in the workshop to begin our product write-up and the documentation of the design and manufacture process. We also started to make a new prototype which is currently being researched and developed so it is up to standard with the other prototypes.”
Thank you to HS Marston Aerospace Ltd. Engineer, Jack Law, for his excellent mentoring throughout the scheme. The team shall continue to work on the project over the next few weeks and we look forward to catching up with them once they have completed it.The Industrial Cadets Scheme is one of many enrichment opportunities we can offer our Sixth Form students at WGS. To find out more about studying Design & Technology Product Design A Level with a choice from over 20+ other subjects, please visit:
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