Royal Engineered Composites' expansion includes cleanroom
Supplier to aerospace industry adds cleanroom to house five autoclaves
Royal Engineered Composites in the US has broken ground on the expansion of its manufacturing. The Minden, Nebraska-based manufacturer of composite materials for aircraft is planning three phased expansions. Upon completion of Phase 1 in November, Royal will have added just over 30,000ft2, bringing the total building to 82,000ft2. This expansion will include a 12,000ft2 cleanroom for graphite/epoxy part production, in which Royal’s five autoclaves will be housed. Royal has purchased a 12x30ft autoclave, a ply cutting table with conveyor system and is awaiting delivery of a composite waterjet machining centre purchased earlier this year. “This 30,000ft2 high bay building should satisfy our growth needs for the next five years. We'll move in equipment the day after it is approved for occupancy,” said Phillip Gill, president of Royal Engineered Composites. The company says the larger facilities will expand its ability to produce larger parts and assemblies and accommodate higher volume contracts. Royal has been experiencing steady growth for the last 10 years and expects that trend to continue. Until 2010, Royal was known by its original name of Royal Plastic.