Industrial Visit
RR was great fun I guess! Not really as fun as I expected it to be, but, good enough. It gave me an insight as to what to expect whilst working there as we basically had talks and visits all the way from the history of rolls royce, manufacturing and finally repairing. The start and the end you could say.
Tour of the Heritage centre gave us abit of the history of engines and we had a really cute tour guide. He's really old but he had lots of interesting stories told with very different tones (as we have heard of). For instance, we're so sick of hearing about the De Havilland Comet Jet tragedy that it's like an "Oh Right, Square windows, stress concentrators. yesyes.." But he emphasized the gravity of the issue with such harshed tones that it made me think twice about my sloppy attitude when talking about the comet jet tragedy.
Had a cool walk through the precision casting facility or investment casting. I am so thankful for having learnt about the process in Manufacturing processes (A203 Course) because at least I have a gist of what it is about rather than being BLUR about it. Being in the manufacturing line is a terribly mundane thing.. you're skilled yes, but probably in one area. The environment is pretty noisy and gloomy.. so.. it wasnt all that attractive over there. But it was a lecture and videos come to live. Highly interesting.
Then we had many talks from the different sectors of the upper management - Aero, Materials and Turbines. The Turbines guy was the most interesting because he was basically giving us a lecture and testing our knowledge about turbojets/turbofans/open rotors. I quite like the interesting ideas/directions they are moving towards in the future too.
Finally, had a tour of the Aero, Repair and Overhaul line. Interesting in the sense that you get to see the engine in pieces and as a whole and the types of equipment they are using. The types of technology they have and what technologies that are soon to emerge! It's almost like the IT sector, so refreshing and you really have to keep running along to remain competitive! What with GE and PrattnWhitney around. You cant rest on your laurels.
Learnt many new terms too: Blisks, Blings (basically in the compressor/turbine fan stage, instead of slotting on individual turbine blades onto the disks, you fuse them together such that they're one full part. Mostly used in military engines as of now, but moving towards the commercial side, eventually, due to its higher performance. But they manufacture this expensive part without really having any means of repairing them, so that's the emerging technology I was ramblind on about. Coursemates were talking about the number of terms they will throw at us without explaining. Tonnes. But overall, I think I had a clearer picture of the jet engines and the manufacturing processes and the issues/problems they face so it was really well worth the 12pounds ...
and the waking up at 450am (because the M1 had reduced speedlimits due to road works)
reaching home at 815pm (we ended an hour later than expected.. coming from Derby, what do u expect?)
starving and dehydrating until about 2pm (had to leave our bags in the van)
=.=
Tiring long day! And life's not treating me well since I get a 9-4pm lectures tmr. Note, WITHOUT A BLOODY BREAK. HELP.
Tour of the Heritage centre gave us abit of the history of engines and we had a really cute tour guide. He's really old but he had lots of interesting stories told with very different tones (as we have heard of). For instance, we're so sick of hearing about the De Havilland Comet Jet tragedy that it's like an "Oh Right, Square windows, stress concentrators. yesyes.." But he emphasized the gravity of the issue with such harshed tones that it made me think twice about my sloppy attitude when talking about the comet jet tragedy.
Had a cool walk through the precision casting facility or investment casting. I am so thankful for having learnt about the process in Manufacturing processes (A203 Course) because at least I have a gist of what it is about rather than being BLUR about it. Being in the manufacturing line is a terribly mundane thing.. you're skilled yes, but probably in one area. The environment is pretty noisy and gloomy.. so.. it wasnt all that attractive over there. But it was a lecture and videos come to live. Highly interesting.
Then we had many talks from the different sectors of the upper management - Aero, Materials and Turbines. The Turbines guy was the most interesting because he was basically giving us a lecture and testing our knowledge about turbojets/turbofans/open rotors. I quite like the interesting ideas/directions they are moving towards in the future too.
Finally, had a tour of the Aero, Repair and Overhaul line. Interesting in the sense that you get to see the engine in pieces and as a whole and the types of equipment they are using. The types of technology they have and what technologies that are soon to emerge! It's almost like the IT sector, so refreshing and you really have to keep running along to remain competitive! What with GE and PrattnWhitney around. You cant rest on your laurels.
Learnt many new terms too: Blisks, Blings (basically in the compressor/turbine fan stage, instead of slotting on individual turbine blades onto the disks, you fuse them together such that they're one full part. Mostly used in military engines as of now, but moving towards the commercial side, eventually, due to its higher performance. But they manufacture this expensive part without really having any means of repairing them, so that's the emerging technology I was ramblind on about. Coursemates were talking about the number of terms they will throw at us without explaining. Tonnes. But overall, I think I had a clearer picture of the jet engines and the manufacturing processes and the issues/problems they face so it was really well worth the 12pounds ...
and the waking up at 450am (because the M1 had reduced speedlimits due to road works)
reaching home at 815pm (we ended an hour later than expected.. coming from Derby, what do u expect?)
starving and dehydrating until about 2pm (had to leave our bags in the van)
=.=
Tiring long day! And life's not treating me well since I get a 9-4pm lectures tmr. Note, WITHOUT A BLOODY BREAK. HELP.