EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Ultra Precision

Many high value next generation products demand macro scale ultra precision components, with micro-scale structure possessing nanometric tolerance. CIM-UP's vision is to be the world's foremost research centre for innovation in next generation ultra-precision production systems and products with global outreach. It will foster and accelerate development of emerging high value products through its dedicated production compatible ultra precision process research platforms and internationally leading research programme. It will facilitate the engagement of the UK precision manufacturing supply chain into the future wealth creating opportunities of emerging sectors.The key manufacturing challenges that will be met by CIM-UP are the creation of a suite of ultra-high precision closed loop (integrated metrology) digital based manufacturing tools that offer a step-change in the fabrication routes for products that require nanoscale precision across length scales from nm to several metres.It is intended that process research will extend energy processing technologies, such as plasmas, lasers, ion and electron beams, and low temperature deposition techniques into fully capable ultra precision manufacturing processes. It is intended these emergent processes will be employed sequentially or simultaneously with established ultra precision processes within newly devised research platforms. These research platforms will be created in partnership with suitable UK industrial partners using a fully digital mechatronic design process. The design processes will extend; CAD, FEA (thermal/dynamic), CAM and performance verification using modal techniques for thermal and mechanical structural analyses. Performance verification will be undertaken using internationally accepted test procedures that will be verified, and where necessary enhanced, using the services of an appropriate national laboratory.Important UK manufacturing operations within biomedical, telecommunications, energy generation, aerospace/space, transport, pharmaceutical and future display technologies rely on precision engineering. Emerging fields of printed electronics and flexible displays are highly dependent on the creation of new production capabilities which will need to offer step changes in precision accuracy and productivity. The overarching aim of CIM-UP will be to realise research processes and platforms that define a new generation of rapid and effective ultra precision production systems. In this way, this centre will reconcile the simultaneous demands of 'accuracy' and 'rapid production capacity' thereby establishing advanced manufacturing technologies pivotal to important emerging market sectors. Through close interaction with the UK's precision manufacturing technology supply chain and product end users/developers, a unique world-leading ultra precision research centre will be established by two internationally recognised research institutes. This collaborative application builds on previous research programme partnerships established through earlier IMRC activities, Grand Challenges and the UPS2 Integrated Knowledge Centre. The UPS2 IKC and Cambridge CIKC will provide pipe-line translation mechanisms for the proposed early TRL research outputs from CIM-UP.

The major beneficiaries on whom CIM-UP's research will impact include UK manufacturing companies (especially SMEs) the University partners and society in general. Benefits will be realised in terms of the economy, knowledge and people. The importance of manufacturing to the UK economy and the key issues and barriers to economic success are highlighted in the main proposal which demonstrate the central role of manufacturing technology in ensuring economic growth. Many emerging sectors and next generation products will demand large-scale ultra precision (nanometre-level tolerance) complex components. To date numerous discrete process steps have evolved into long process chains requiring high levels of capital investment. Such extensive process chains are needed to create even initial pre-production prototypes. This issue has become a significant barrier to SME's realising their innovative products. Since it is widely acknowledged that manufacturing employment growth will stem from SMEs and emerging sectors, this issue is of national importance. The UK holds a world-leading position in ultra precision related manufacturing research, which has in recent years gained highly effective and unique ultra precision R&D infrastructure operating beyond those established industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive and defence. Therefore, opportunities exist to leverage UK precision manufacturing supply chain organisations towards identified emerging sectors where, in partnership with leading UK researchers, a unique potential for greater wealth generation can be realised for the UK from its innovation capacity. This potential is currently unaddressed and requires a distinctive approach focused on Ultra Precision manufacturing. This is the opportunity and challenge for the CIM-UP. Manufacturing success requires the generation of new knowledge and innovation. In particular, business requires new, innovative ideas that can become reality. The research focus of CIM-UP will target key areas of manufacturing technology that will be developed in partnership between the Centre and the industrial partners. This leading edge research will support both the industrial and University strategies and in addition contribute to the broader UK national need. To realise this future success, manufacturing requires leaders with both the knowledge and vision to grow UK manufacturing business. CIM-UP will produce individuals who will provide such leadership to ensure that UK manufacturing can meet the future technical and business challenges needed to compete globally. The potential of the UK's innovation capacity to create new high-end manufacturing jobs is significant. Maximising this wealth generation opportunity within the UK will however depend on successfully realising next generation innovative production systems. Without relevant production research, r&d infrastructure, and an effective technology supply chain, there will be a limit to the UK's direct employment growth from its innovation capacity, leading to a constant migration of UK wealth creation potential into overseas economies. CIM-UP will develop a significant number of highly trained manufacturing engineers who will be essential to provide the leadership necessary to drive UK high value manufacturing forward and provide the vision for future prosperity. Manufacturing business requires people who can generate knowledge and then transform that knowledge into action. CIM-UP will provide researchers with the breadth of skills, both technical and business, to make a real impact on the future of UK manufacturing.