Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ERFTM (Export Restriction Free Travelling wave tubes Materials)
Période du rapport: 2017-04-01 au 2019-12-31
ERFTM addressed two key materials of TWT, the helix ribbon and the helix support rod which are currently provided by a under-export restriction source, due to the complexity of the manufacturing processes. Indeed, this technological project is dedicated to the development of new travelling wave tube (TWT) key components and innovative solutions that will not be governed by existing or even potential future export restrictions. The development of manufacturing source of the two critical components and their qualification in Space and Terrestrial TWT are the main industrial objectives.
During the first three years of the ERFTM project, main efforts were done first on the conception and realization of innovative equipment able to manufacture the two new TWT components. It was a collaborative work between public and private partners, based on process tests and exchange of complementary expertise to regularly improve the equipment to achieve an adapted and efficient equipment able to produce the two new components. At this stage (March 2020), several parts were manufactured and characterized to determine if the quality of components complied with TWT requirements. When it was not the case, further hardware and process works were performed by the relevant partners to improve the quality of the helix ribbon and the helix support rod. Moreover, a focus on the control of the components manufactured was performed and advanced controlling methods were set-up. In parallel, the qualification of machined components started by the end-users (TWT manufacturers). Due to the complex development, the extension of nine additional months allowed to finalizing the qualification of the new manufactured components and qualification plan of space and Terrestrial TWT, defined at the beginning of the project were followed.
In parallel to the technical work, two preliminary quantitative commercial evaluation studies of ERFTM technical results were presented at the end of the project and particularly described the first exploitable results carried out by the partners. These reports introduced the main potential markets of the results and products obtained by each partner after the complex and complementary manufacturing processes. They also defined the tendency of TWT in Space and terrestrial market but also in other sectors.
In conclusion, the perspective of growth is also for the ERFTM partners, they have reached a high technicality of their respective expertise and are ready to start the first steps of commercialization in agreement of the strategy to develop the core components.
In parallel to the technical work, two preliminary quantitative commercial evaluation studies of ERFTM technical results were presented at the end of the project and particularly described the first exploitable results carried out by the partners. These reports introduced the main potential markets of the results and products obtained by each partner after the complex and complementary manufacturing processes. They also defined the tendency of TWT in Space and terrestrial market but also in other sectors.
In conclusion, the perspective of growth is also for the ERFTM partners, they have reached a high technicality of their respective expertise and are ready to start the first steps of commercialization in agreement of the strategy to develop the core components.
This single combination of partners allowed to bringing the ERFTM technologies to success and also each industrial partner to further develop their innovative manufacturing processes, materials and machines after the project. As this collaborative partnership is fruitful, all ERFTM partners continue to work on the technical and commercial tasks yet in order to collect complementary data and adapt the financial projections in a significant growth.
The main potential impact of ERFTM project is the availability of two critical components for TWT application through European source of supply.
Moreover, the increase of business for two involved SME’s are expected through the development of new source of supply. Each SME has also planned to recruit for the coming months.
The main potential impact of ERFTM project is the availability of two critical components for TWT application through European source of supply.
Moreover, the increase of business for two involved SME’s are expected through the development of new source of supply. Each SME has also planned to recruit for the coming months.