A half-size Rolls-Royce jet engine made of LegosCredit: Rolls-Royce
The UK’s Farnborough International Airshow is one of the most anticipated events in aeronautics, and we can usually count on some interesting news to come out of it. This year is no exception with the introduction by Rolls-Royce of the first-ever jet engine built from—not a new superalloy—but from a supertoy—Legos!
A story on the RR website reports that RR engineers built a half-size, working version of its turbofan Trent 1000 jet engine. Two “for real” Trent 100s power the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The halfling is built from 152,455 bricks, is more than two meters long and weighs more than 300 kg (660 pounds). It took four employees 1,280 hours to assemble.
The engine is built with full moving parts, and moves slowly enough to see how a jet engine works.
So, why did they do it? To inspire young people about science and engineering. Graham Schuhmacher, RR’s head of development services says in the story, ““If we are able to inspire the young people of today then who knows what they might go on to achieve? Jet engines of the future could be very different if we encourage young people to engage in science and technology and to come up with new ideas.”
In that case, encourage the young people you know to watch how it was made. Nice work if you can get it!
Hat tip: Christopher MacManus, CNET News
The show runs July 9-15.