DATL to improve computer models of aircraft tyres

ERJ staff report (DS)

Birmingham, UK -- A team led by Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has secured £120,000 (euro 150 000) of funding from the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) to research new ways to embrace modelling technology to reduce the time and cost of aircraft tyre development using computer modelling techniques.

The project, which will also involve significant investment from Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, is being run in conjunction with the University of Birmingham's School of Mechanical Engineering and with support from Airbus.

“We have an aggressive new product programme as part of our overall expansion strategy,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres' chairman, Ian Edmondson. “This funding and the support of the University of Birmingham and Airbus gives us the opportunity to research new ways to use the very latest modelling technology to make advancements in aircraft tyre design and to remain at the leading edge of the industry.”

The project is part of the MAA's Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Advantage West Midlands. It is being led by Dunlop Aircraft Tyres' head of research, Dr Wei Ding.