Engineering Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre Renewal
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
This proposal is for the renewal of the block grant for the Engineering Innovative Manufacturing Centre at the University of Bath. The Centre is unique in combining a design focus with a strong emphasis on manufacture in a closely integrated group. The context of the Centre's work is:* globally distributed design and manufacture of complex products and processes;* pressure on price, quality and timescale;* the move from test-based (physical prototypes) to simulation-based (virtual prototypes) engineering* the movement towards sustainable engineering practice. * the key importance in engineering of knowledge and information management. The Bath Engineering IMRC's mission is to develop tools, methods and knowledge, underpinned by appropriate theory and fundamental research, to support engineering enterprises in these new circumstances. In particular, the focus of the Centre is on whole life design information and knowledge management, and improving the design of machines, processes and systems.
Organisations
- University of Bath (Lead Research Organisation)
- Eurostep (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Philips (Netherlands) (Project Partner)
- VOSA (Project Partner)
- Kohler (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Project Partner)
- Manor Bakeries Ltd (Project Partner)
- Balfour Beatty (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Rotary Precision Instruments UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Soletec Ltd (Project Partner)
- Arup Group (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Ramboll (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Sandiacre Packaging Machinery Ltd (Project Partner)
- ENTHEO (Project Partner)
- Bobst (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Dyson Limited (Project Partner)
- Quanta Fluid Solutions (Project Partner)
- L S C Group Ltd (Project Partner)
- Lynx Technic Ltd (Project Partner)
- Airbus (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- CPC Reading (Project Partner)
- Zepf Technologies (Project Partner)
- Crest Flexible Packaging Ltd (Project Partner)
- University of Sydney (Project Partner)
- The Welding Institute (Project Partner)
- General Electric (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- CC Technology (Project Partner)
- GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Cascades Paperboard UK (Project Partner)
- Ardo UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Ibstock Brick (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Faro UK (Project Partner)
- IMI Vision Ltd (Project Partner)
- University of Southampton (Project Partner)
- Panasonic Trust (Project Partner)
- Currie & Brown UK (Project Partner)
- Assa Abloy (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- GKN (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Vanguard Software (Project Partner)
- National Physical Laboratory (Project Partner)
- Galorath (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Rotork Controls Ltd (Project Partner)
- University of Warwick (Project Partner)
- Bradman Lake Ltd (Project Partner)
- Vitacress (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Crown Packaging (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Quin Systems Ltd (Project Partner)
- M-Real UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Lasercomb Dies (Project Partner)
- KorteQ (Project Partner)
- Morphy Richards (Project Partner)
- Colin Mear Engineering Ltd (Project Partner)
- PPMA Group of Associations (Project Partner)
- Facade Hoists International (Project Partner)
- Mayr Melnhof (Project Partner)
- University College London (Project Partner)
- Image Scan Holdings (Project Partner)
- Metris UK (Project Partner)
- Piedro Footwear (Project Partner)
- Colston Manufacturing (Engineering) Co L (Project Partner)
- Field Packaging Systems (Project Partner)
- Vestas Blades (Tecnology) UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Applied (Project Partner)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (Project Partner)
- BENDICKS MAYFAIR LTD (Project Partner)
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Project Partner)
- AMCOR Flexibles (Project Partner)
- Tenaris (Argentina) (Project Partner)
- TÜV SÜD (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Hexagon (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Lanner Group (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- BMT Group (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Marks and Spencer (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Qinetiq (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- United Biscuits (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Rolls-Royce (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- SPX Corporation (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Soltec Systems (Project Partner)
- Cooper-Avon Tyres Ltd (Project Partner)
- Clares Merchandise Handling Equipment (Project Partner)
- Adiuri Systems Ltd (Project Partner)
- Eimeldingen Ltd (Project Partner)
- Delcam (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Royal British Legion (Project Partner)
- Smithers Pira (Project Partner)
- Colston Manufacturing Ltd (Project Partner)
- Hanatek Ltd (Project Partner)
- Welton Packaging (Project Partner)
- Edwards (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Project Partner)
- Renishaw (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Team Defence Information (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- TRW (Project Partner)
- University of Cambridge (Project Partner)
- Metris (Project Partner)
- British American Tobacco (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Fiskeby Board Ltd (Project Partner)
- Tata Group UK (Project Partner)
- Campden BRI (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Gopsill J
(2015)
Supporting engineering design communication using a custom-built social media tool - PartBook
in Advanced Engineering Informatics
Maropoulos P
(2008)
Large volume metrology process models: A framework for integrating measurement with assembly planning
in CIRP Annals
Wang Z
(2011)
High accuracy mobile robot positioning using external large volume metrology instruments
in International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Snider C
(2013)
The appearance of creative behavior in later stage design processes
in International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation
Giess M
(2008)
The generation of faceted classification schemes for use in the organisation of engineering design documents
in International Journal of Information Management
Maisano D
(2008)
Indoor GPS: system functionality and initial performance evaluation
in International Journal of Manufacturing Research
Vichare P
(2011)
Unified representation of fixtures: clamping, locating and supporting elements in CNC manufacture
in International Journal of Production Research
Howard T
(2011)
Reuse of ideas and concepts for creative stimuli in engineering design
in Journal of Engineering Design
Muelaner J
(2010)
Verification of the indoor GPS system, by comparison with calibrated coordinates and by angular reference
in Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing
Muelaner J
(2010)
Estimation of uncertainty in three-dimensional coordinate measurement by comparison with calibrated points
in Measurement Science and Technology
Description | The Bath Innovative Design and Manufacturing Research Centre carried out research and developed a wide range of tools and methods for use in engineering design and manufacturing, especially in information and knowledge management, engineering constraint modelling, metrology (especially for large objects) and advanced machining systems. |
Exploitation Route | The Centre produced a wide range of outputs some of which have led to new technologies, others to patents, others to new methods that can be embedded into engineering processes |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Construction Energy Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Transport |
URL | http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/research/centres/imrcs/previous/imrcbath/ |
Description | Computer-based models to represent the complex interaction between machines and materials during processing in packaging and pharmaceutical industries have helped firms to create new machine and tooling designs, as well as improve production practices, thereby increasing profitability and long-term competitiveness. A new method has provided a step change in the cost estimating approach used by aerospace manufacturing teams, as well as a useful tool for assessing supplier bids. Bath's proprietary constraint modelling software has been used to identify the key motion requirements for driving and guiding cartons during folding. From this information, systems and machines were designed capable of being reconfigured to handle different designs of packaging and small batch sizes. The research contributed to the development of a highly accurate production process called metrology-assisted robotic machining (fettling) to improve the fit of aircraft wing ribs. The University of Bath contribution centred around metrological planning including the calculation of the associated measurement uncertainties, and the integration of the metrology with the robotics. The research led to new tools and methods to support the improved management of personal electronic information. The work was focused on organising and sharing personal information and integrating it with existing records of product development, including electronic logbooks to support engineers over the product life cycle, integrating email within engineering information management systems and design records and improved monitoring and control of engineering projects through the analysis of the email content being exchanged. The research programme developed a new form of super-cooled machining for rubber and other flexible plastics materials. Building on the Bath's expertise in advanced machining processes and systems, the CRYMAN system works by cooling soft materials to very low temperatures - using liquid nitrogen - to achieve temporary solidity allowing milling and drilling, processes conventionally limited to solid materials like metal and wood. A tool for the automatic intelligent retrieval of ideas from an information repository, Sweeper, has been shown to provide effective stimulation in team brainstorming sessions, especially at the critical moment when idea generation flags, improving not only the quantity of the new ideas but also the quality. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
Impact Types | Economic |