Composite component flies away with Horners’ Award

An innovative composite part for the Airbus A350 XWB designed by GKN Aerospace has been announced as the winner of the Horners Award for Plastics Design and Innovation 2013.

GKN Aerospace developed automated processes for the A350 XWB ‘Composite Rear Spar’ as well as a fixed trailing edge assembly programme.

The application of state-of-the-art automated fibre placement (AFP) technology, unique to the UK, has allowed GKN Aerospace to produce cost effective repeatable lightweight components with more complex and bespoke geometries.

The Horners’ Award Committee awarded the Runner-Up Award to Hozelock for its ‘Growbag Waterer’, a device that keeps a grow bag watered for up to two weeks at a time.

The judges also nominated three other products for the Highly Commended Certificate, namely ‘The Chest Drain Trainer’ by Limbs & Things Ltd, Emerald Automotive's ‘Thermoplastic Composite Bodied Electric Vehicle’ and the ‘Temporary Industrial Roadway’ designed by Big Bear Plastics.

The Horners’ Award, established in 1947, is thought to be the oldest extant award for plastics in the world.