LTA Research has a clear, and incredible focus. Their team is researching, developing and manufacturing advanced technologies to dramatically increase the capabilities, and lower the cost, of 21st century airships.
Their vision is to create zero-emission aircraft that can complement – and even speed up - humanitarian disaster response.
When they needed a production partner, they scoured the world...
And they chose Kilwell Fibrelab.
Pathfinder 1, LTA’s 400-foot-long rigid airship was designed for massive lifting capacity relative to its own weight. When it came to finding the lightweight, rigid materials needed for the airframe – the aircraft’s primary structure – aerospace-grade carbon fibre tubing was the obvious choice.
But a 400-foot-long structure needs a LOT of carbon fibre tubing, and to meet FAA standards, each component must be manufactured in a carefully controlled environment and full traceability.
When Alan Weston, CEO of LTA Research visited Kilwell HQ, he found a seasoned production team with the skills and drive to help deliver his company’s vision. After comparing a short-run of components against other suppliers, Kilwell became the partner of choice.
Kilwell Fibrelab had the skills and the systems to get things moving, but to reach FAA standards, we needed to level up. Working closely with the LTA team, the Kilwell Fibrelab manufacturing plant evolved. Introducing temperature and particle management systems ensured environmental conditions were not only controlled but tracked.
For complete traceability, our R&D team developed a barcoding system that allowed part-marking to be physically built into each component without any compromises to strength and tolerances.
For the first time in Kilwell’s history, our production facility was running 3 continuous shifts; 24 hours a day, 5 days a week in order to meet LTA’s production targets.
The machines have been running 21-hours a day for over two months, but what will be the world's largest 3D printed sculpture is nearly finished.
From Bentley car parts to bomb dismantling robots, fishing rods to some of the most iconic weapons in film history – a Rotorua company is using cutting-edge technologies to supply the world’s best.
Considered the largest 3D printed sculpture in the world, Te Ahi Tupua is now displayed at the Te Puia carpark in the city of Rotorua, welcoming locals and visitors.
COLLABORATION MAKES US
STRONGER LIGHTER FASTER BIGGER
