A partnership built on experience and expertise
Delivering High-Quality, Bespoke Gloveboxes for the Nuclear Industry
Investing in Future UK Nuclear Capability
We’ve forged a powerful alliance by combining CAN’s expert design knowledge of bespoke gloveboxes with Portsmouth Aviation’s advanced manufacturing capabilities. This strategic partnership has created a cross-functional team delivering future-proof solutions for designing, manufacturing, assembling, and testing specialised gloveboxes for defence and civil nuclear markets.
While we continue collaborating with established industry manufacturers across our projects, this partnership with Portsmouth Aviation significantly enhances our capacity to meet the growing UK demand for high-quality containment solutions. As nuclear projects increase nationwide, our combined expertise ensures consistent delivery of premium containment systems manufactured to the highest standards.
Cyclife Aquila Nuclear and Portsmouth Aviation Team with their glovebox
Demonstration of Excellence: Class 1 Alpha Containment
In 2024, CAN and Portsmouth Aviation successfully collaborated to produce a Class 1 Alpha Containment with two primary objectives:
- Demonstrate the seamless collaboration between our organisations
- Create a showcase piece that effectively highlights our combined capabilities to potential clients
The completed glovebox exemplifies our commitment to quality, featuring:
- Precision-engineered stainless-steel construction
- Comprehensive manufacturing accountability certification
- Safety glass windows for optimal visibility and protection
- Complete compliance with Class 1 Sellafield standards
- Comprehensive pressure testing certification
Partnership Timeline & Development Process
In 2022, our companies united to establish a partnership focused on high-quality stainless steel bespoke containment solutions. CAN assembled a specialised team of design engineers to develop initial design models tailored explicitly to Portsmouth Aviation’s manufacturing capabilities.
Design Phase: Innovation in Action
Once the concept was agreed and approved, our team developed comprehensive technical drawings. This sample glovebox presented unique challenges due to its high-quality demands, prompting our engineers to implement innovative approaches:
- Utilising Portsmouth Aviation’s advanced 3D scanning technology during manufacturing
- Employing 5-axis machining for components traditionally formed through conventional methods
- Incorporating specialised design elements to maintain Class 1 containment standards
Engineer looking at the glovebox designs
Rendered design drawings of glovebox
Manufacturing Excellence
The finalised designs were sent to Portsmouth Aviation’s manufacturing facility, representing a crucial phase in validating our collaboration. The production process showcased Portsmouth Aviation’s exceptional metalworking capabilities and strict quality control procedures.
Glovebox Structure Including Window and Gloveports During Manufacture
Glovebox Window Detail During Manufacture
Quality Assurance & Certification
Following the completion of the manufacturing phase, CAN conducted comprehensive pressure testing in our specialised workshop to verify compliance with Class 1 standards. This rigorous testing regime confirmed the glovebox assembly’s structural integrity and containment performance.
The final stages included the installation of lighting fixtures and the project documentation as evidence of our joint capabilities.
Glovebox Penetration Detail 1
Glovebox Penetration Detail 2
Engineering Excellence for the Nuclear Future
The successful completion of this sample glovebox project has strengthened the partnership between CAN and Portsmouth Aviation. Both organisations are firmly committed to an exciting future of collaboration, delivering exceptional design and manufacturing solutions for the nuclear industry.
Our joint capabilities now include:
- Comprehensive design services from concept to production
- Advanced manufacturing utilising the latest technologies
- Strict adherence to nuclear industry quality standards
- Efficient project management and delivery timescales
- Complete testing and certification