The 6NAPSE Group is a group of labs and support and test centres. Three of them are in Normandy: CEVAA in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray (76), Analyses et Surface in Val-de-Reuil (27) and 6NAPSE in Vernon (27). The group helps several major sectors in Normandy’s industries, including aerospace and automotive, in terms of R&D, inspection and reliability for products and technology of the future. The group has recently made new acquisitions to expand its expertise.
6NAPSE Group: Leading aerospace test centre in Normandy
The 6NAPSE Group made its mark among big names in the aerospace and defence industry when it set up its test centre at the Campus de l’Espace, in Vernon, in 2019. Not only is it close to the Ile-de-France region, but the site is also nearby Safran Aircraft Engine (SAE) and the Ariane Group.
We've explored a number of methods for aviation and aerospace, including simulation; we sometimes work on large-scale samples or prototypes that are hard to get hold of because they're unique items. In terms of testing, the Vernon site has specific resources to handle things like landing gear, seats, cabin interior and exterior etc.
The Vernon site conducts mechanical (vibration, endurance/wear and tear etc.), environmental (thermal etc.) and reliability tests. 6napse even has a contract with SAFRAN for vibration tests in cleanrooms, i.e. tests conducted on propulsion systems for satellites in an ISO 8 tent.
Why Normandy is the ideal location for 6NAPSE Group’s test centres
On top of the Vernon site, the 6napse Group also has two test centres and labs in Normandy. This ecosystem brings the centres closer and makes it easier for them to work together.
We're fortunate in that we can conduct both experiments and simulations. It's a real asset, few labs cover both these skillsets.
Car manufacturers and companies launched CEVAA over 20 years ago in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, in the Rouen area. With the automotive industry in the process of converting to electric/hybrid vehicles, decarbonisation has really sped up since the pandemic. Manufacturers and consumers want to go back to local production and be more sustainable. Given the climate crisis, electrification is one solution to reduce CO2 emissions caused by transport.
What sets the acoustics and vibration support centre apart is that it can fulfil design requirements whilst being close to the Paris area. The support centre also has the resources to test electric vehicles: a semi-anechoic chamber to assess noise and a 3D laser vibrometer to measure vibrations from electric engines. It also has digital simulation tools to approve automotive development before prototype testing can start.
The “analyses and surface” lab in Val-de-Reuil, in Eure, works on materials (characterisation, failure, ageing etc.).
Our position in Normandy is pretty clear. We're based in Vernon with aerospace testing at Campus de l'espace. Our materials lab, which conducts tests for the pharmaceuticals industry, is based in Val-de-Reuil near countless pharmaceuticals companies. We are also a member and key figure in several industries of excellence in the region, such as Normandie Energies and Normandie Aeroespace (NAE).
Given its wealth of expertise, Normandy’s pioneering industries and businesses (pharmaceuticals, food, transport, sport and leisure, security and defence etc.) can reach out to the group at any stage of a product’s life span: from R&D to develop or upgrade it, to testing and approving it.
The Group is working on diversifying its business and is also investing in security in testing.
Expertise that goes beyond Normandy’s borders
The 6NAPSE Group is expanding outside Normandy to better support the future of manufacturing! For example, QARBONE, a materials lab in Lyon, provides chemical and physicochemical analyses of any type of material, foreign body analysis, failure analysis and R&D projects.
INFINERGIES joined the Group in early 2023. It specialises in power electronics and is based in the Paris area. The new research centre designs bespoke energy converters, from drafting specifications to making the initial prototypes.
The 6napse group will continue to expand in the electrification and new transport markets by upgrading its testing and design services.
Thematics
