How to build a Jumbo jet engine

last night on BBC2. Admittedly, the title didn't jump off the page but should be required viewing for all useless MPs and local politicians who prefer to pump money into banks, overseas aid etc.

It covered, in precise detail, the marvellous skills and dedication of thousands of (mostly) Derby-based employees in creating World-leading engines. Just 250,000 people live in Derby (similar to Rotherham) but they've got Rolls Royce, Bombardier, Toyota etc. and Rotherham's got Jamie's Kitchen.

When Forgemasters (try to read this, too) slide down the table of World class British companies, we can truly thank our inept politicians.

Anyway, try to catch it on BBC iPlayer. A truly uplifting programme.

Although Rolls-Royce aero do lots of their own manufacturing, they do out-source for quite a few of their engine parts. That particular model of trent engine was the latest development using a special cast developement that utilises single grain technology which, is used in the combustion blades process; the part which take most of the 'hammer' of continuous heat / pressure etc unlike the fans blades at the front which just drag air in.

Local specialist enginnering companies like Doncasters / Thorntons (Symmetry Medical) & Firth Rixson still supply many specialist forging to Rolls-Royce or Pratt & Whitney (their US competitor) on their other engines. Parts such as main shafts, engine bearings, engine fixings & turbine blades to name but a few. Local stainless melt shops like OutoKumpu do many specialist stainless grades for the engine casings (you know the one where they did the test that had to contain the blades in case of a catosrophic failure).

I know what you are getting at though, a town the size of Derby with so much engineering expertise has got to be admired worldwide. The key to their success though can clearly be seen as 'continous improvement'. They never rest on their laurels & are striving for that new breakthrough everyday.

Make no doubt though there are many such companies within our own areas of south yorkshire including many that i won't have mentioned. It's just a pity that they are not been supported with the investment they need from either private or government equity initiatives.

Such new pioneering centres can be seen appearing around catcliffe.

See:-(Advanced manufacturing park in Sheffield)

http://www.ampwaverley.com/companies

Just look who happens to be there!!!!!!

See:-

http://www.ampwaverley.com/companies/rolls-royce

The staff for those companies don't all come from Derby either. Engineers are hired from all over, I know several who work for a company in Huddersfield who do a lot of work for Bombardier, and Sheffield uni have a research project/group for rolls royce that do air flow modelling (and probably other things).

The whole region contributes to these companies through direct staff and through the subcontractors already mentioned.