Highlighted Projects

Improve and Assess Repair Capability of Aircraft Structures, or IARCAS for short, was a 5th Framework growth project over a 4 year period working with many universities and industrial partners, the main one being Airbus France. The project focused on developing Finite Element Analysis models of a section of aircraft fuselage and subjecting that section to denting, producing residual stresses and subsequently loading the panel to predict where damage might occur in real life. The location of the dent along with its depth had significant effect on the subsequent loading pattern.  Models created within ANSYS predicted high stress concentrations and these results were validated on actual loaded panels in Airbus France. 

Bantam Tools, who are a world leader in desktop CNC machines with professional reliability and precision to support world changers and skill builders, wanted to augment their existing R&D capabilities and develop a new line of machine off their critical path. This work consisted of everything starting from their initial brief to handing over a fully functional beta / near production ready machine, with supply chain, testing and manuals all developed.   

Calt Dynamics is a 3D printing manufacturer who specialise in new 3D printing technologies which they offer as a service. Ad Astra provided support with building a brand strategy and equipping the company with a brand identity map to be used across all marketing activity.