Latest News October 2021
Dive in to our latest newsletter to find out how we are continuing to innovate, in an increasingly sustainable and secure manner.
We hope you enjoy the read!
Upgrading From The Inside Out
Our new office interiors (east wing pictured above) have been subjected to some serious upgrades since our move in September. Further to the integration of CAT6 high-speed cabling throughout our whole network, we have now invested in direct line fibre optic broadband to enable super-fast connection to our customers around the globe. Speaking of enhanced connectivity, with a new fully integrated softphone system, our engineers can be reached on any enabled device, anywhere. This means even when our staff are working flexibly, they are fully connected to our head offices and our customers.
To complement our accelerated workflow and increasing capacity, Frewer is investing in even more software packages, bringing Solid Edge (a sibling of Simens ‘NX’) into our arsenal. Increasing the licences available to our engineers improves our capacity for concepting, continuous review of work by senior staff and offers our analysts’ access to highly capable pre-processing software.
Sustainability at Frewer Engineering
At Frewer Engineering we are striving to be accountable for our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainability initiative we have become carbon neutral within GHG protocol scope 1, achieved via an on-site biomass heating system and near-site solar energy supply for our offices. We are offering more flexibility than ever to all our engineers, with seamless remote working capability reducing commuting emissions with no loss in productivity. Even small changes like issuing reusable metallic bottles company-wide deters the consumption of single-use plastics and keeps plastic out of our landfills and oceans.
Sustainability shouldn’t just be a special feature, but a feature of our day-to-day working lives, so the welfare of our staff and the environment are core values of our company. This is why we are working towards environmental certification to ensure we are holistically sustainable, stay up to date with the latest climate science and set an example of environmental awareness. To consolidate our engagement with sustainability, we have refreshed our mission statement to be about more than just cutting edge engineering design and analysis services…
Adding Layers To Our Rapid Prototyping Capability
In-house 3D printing and prototyping equipment is running hot this month proving a complex mechanism design for a novel quad-barrel shotgun. The ability to combine specialist CAD/CAM packages with cutting edge laser sintering equipment allows for rapid iteration and development of mechanism concepts. 3D printing provides a unique insight for locating, diagnosing, and solving technical challenges, enabling the resolution of potential manufacture and assembly issues before they arise.
Plus, this provides our customers with a physical model of their product, benefitting direct feedback and reduced development risk. Model-based definition design methods are also being employed at Frewer, harnessing an authoritative digital product definition which can be parameterised to facilitate agile modification throughout design processes. When paired with our rapid prototyping capabilities, scale or full-size models of a product can be produced and optimised at the click of a button, with the very same model being used downstream by manufacturers.
Update: Advanced Analysis & CFD Division
Hydrodynamic Optimisation & Cross-Division Skills
Our specialised fluids analysis team has been working with the rapidly growing zero-emission marine propulsion outfit ‘Ecomar Propulsion’, supporting the development of novel zero-emission powertrains. By using advanced RANS CFD methods we have performed hydrodynamic optimisation on powertrain components in order to maximise the range and efficiencies of novel marine transport solutions. Frewer is committed to supporting the UK government’s ambitions for net-zero by 2050 by striving for greater efficiencies in all our solutions and developing low carbon technologies.
Cross-pollination of technical skills between our divisions is harnessed this month as we integrate CFD analyses into FEED (front end engineering design) projects. For gas path critical components, fluid dynamics and mechanical design should both guide early concepts to facilitate streamlined concept development processes. Pictured above is an isosurface snapped from one of our CFD post-processors. By understanding where fluid efficiency can be improved in this early-stage pipework concept, we can implement changes which may have been far more costly to make at a later design stage. Such interdivisional efficiencies allow us to pass cost savings onto our customers.
Update: Advanced Engineering Division
Aerospace Testing Symposium & Milestones
Frewer Engineering was invited to attend the Aerospace Testing International Symposium and our Divisional Head of Advanced Engineering, Simon Apsley, joined the event. The symposium marked the long-awaited post-Covid return to live conferences and provided a platform for the exchange of new ideas and concepts for aerospace professionals. Many of the panel discussions centred around the certification of novel short-range electric aircraft and prospective zero-carbon fuels such as in-wing liquid hydrogen. The conference brilliantly promoted the discussion of new technologies and techniques for professionals working in aerospace.
The Advanced Engineering team have completed critical milestones this month, with successful design reviews for live aerospace design projects – high-speed spinning rigs for ground-based testing, plus high-temperature Inconel componentry for flight. These design projects support the development of the world’s largest turbofan aero engine – a flagship aerospace innovation project offering a massive 25% increase in efficiency compared with legacy twin-shaft and triple-shaft engine designs. Engagement in these projects is a key part of our commitment to clean skies aviation, maximising the efficiency of established technologies, while laying the groundwork for electric and liquid hydrogen propulsion, ready for zero carbon flight.
Dynamic analyses spotlight
At Frewer Engineering we provide a comprehensive shock and dynamic analysis service. Our engineers possess years of experience in complex dynamic assessments of equipment, using bespoke analysis tools and software to conduct the following primary services (not exhaustive):
- Modal analysis
- Random and forced vibration assessments
- Impact, shock and seismic assessments
- Noise and acoustic analysis
- Rotordynamic analysis
From shock assessments of wave loading on submarine masts to frequency tuning of highly accurate scientific equipment and rotordynamic assessments of high-speed rotating machinery, Frewer Engineering is a safe pair of hands when it comes to assuring equipment under dynamic loading.
Update: Advanced Composites Division
Visits to DSEI and DPRTE
September has turned out to be very much a transitional month for Frewer’s Advanced Composites Division, with the successful completion of some long-standing Defence marine projects blending seamlessly with fast-appearing new Defence and Aerospace opportunities. With the move to our spacious new offices complete, and one eye on future Defence work, Head of the Advanced Composites Division, Matthew Jeffreys, attended both the DSEI and DPRTE events in London and Farnborough respectively. Both events presented a great opportunity to meet customers old and new and introduce Frewer’s design and analysis capabilities to new ones. With Covid restrictions easing, it was great to once again be able meet face-to-face and was so refreshing to see everyone’s optimism for the future. As so often happens at these events, new opportunities seem to spring from unpredictable directions. This year has been no exception with a number of projects already being followed up as a result of chance meetings
Novel composite solutions to challenging customer problems
Design and analysis of complex marine structures has been one of the Advanced Composites Division’s mainstay activities over the last two and a half years, completing the final shock analysis work was a milestone event for the whole team. It’s been an intricate and demanding project and a pleasure working with the customer’s engineers throughout. With the final designs signed off, we eagerly await the appointed manufacturer’s creation of the physical components. They’re going to be big!
CPD: Investing In Our Engineers
Daniel Green, one of our key project engineers, has recently received the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ), furthering his established skills in project organisation, stakeholder management, cost forecasting and much more. This course has advanced Daniel’s skills in leading projects, resulting in more efficient services for our customers!
Another of our engineers, Kristian Mahon, is also undertaking the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) this month. This course will allow him to enhance his project management skills as he begins to take on project management roles for our customers! Combining project management skills with technical capability is vital for our engineers, ensuring they understand full project landscapes and lead successful deliveries against project and technical requirements.
