Thorite Blows Up Air China Reusable Escape Slides for EDM Limited 

Manchester-based EDM Limited is a major supplier of training and hardware solutions for the world's airlines and air forces. When Air China contacted them for two reusable escape slide simulation systems, for use on Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainers (CEET), EDM turned to Thorite for technical assistance. 

Aircraft escape slides have saved many lives, but each time one is explosively deployed it generally has to be removed from the aircraft completely after the emergency and shipped back to its manufacturer to be fully inspected and repacked, which is both a lengthy and expensive operation. EDM has CEETs for many airlines, which incorporate reusable escape slides. 

As the UK's biggest independent supplier of pneumatic products and process systems, Thorite was the natural choice to provide innovative compressed air technology to activate and control the emergency training equipment.

The requirement was for a fast-acting, low pressure (10bar) escape slide inflation system, which for the Boeing 737, comprised of a 1,000 litre vertical air receiver, pipework, actuated ball valves and a Thorite-designed and built 2-switch control panel. The Airbus A330 deploys a much larger slide, requiring a 4,000 litre horizontal air receiver, pipework, actuated ball valves and a 4-switch control panel. 

This specialist equipment enabled both aircraft's escape slides to be inflated to 1.9psi in around 7 seconds, with this pressure being controlled and maintained by very accurate electronic pressure switches. Thorite also designed and built an additional 4-switch panel for the A330, to activate a fire extinguisher simulation system.

To round the project off, Thorite carried out all system testing on site and supplied a "written scheme" in line with the UK Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. 

Speaking of Thorite's contribution to the success of the escape slide simulators Howard Gregory, EDM's Project Manager said: "EDM is renowned for applying its world-class engineering and manufacturing expertise to our global customer projects and we seek to collaborate with like-minded companies. Thorite responded to the challenge by realising innovative solutions on two different escape slide systems. Their customer focus and attention to detail was excellent and most importantly, their input enabled EDM to satisfy our end customer." 

Further Information: Ross Gowler

Thorite Marketing and Engineering Services Director

Tel: 01274 663471.

Email:ross.gowler@thorite.co.uk

Web:www.thorite.co.uk 

Note to Editors

A family owned business since its foundation in 1850, Thorite has grown to become theUK's largestdistributor of pneumatic products and process systems. From its head office in Bradford, which also houses the company's state of the art National Distribution Centre, showroom and trade sales centre, Thorite has expanded to create a regional network of pneumatics Sales and Service Centres in Blackburn, Bolton, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Leeds, Rochdale, Sheffield, North Shields and the West Midlands. 

Thorite, Thorite House, Laisterdyke, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD4 8BZ.