The Light Controlled Factory
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
This project will investigate and develop novel and interlinked measurement-enabled technologies for realising the next generation of factories for the "Assembly, Integration and Test" (AIT) of high value products. The vision is for the widespread adoption and interlinked deployment of novel, measurement-based techniques in factories, to provide machines and parts with aspects of temporal, spatial and dimensional self-awareness, enabling superior machine control and parts verification. The title "Light Controlled Factory" reflects the enabling role of optical metrology in future factories. The scientific and technological challenges that would need to be addressed via this research to realise this vision include:
(a) Future AIT factories require product specific customisation of assembly, ultimately adapting the condition of assembly for each part, whilst ensuring assembly integrity and high process yield. The research challenges are; (i) to develop methods using accurate high frequency measurement data to control the position and orientation of parts in real-time, and (ii) to integrate semi-finishing processes with assembly, such as machining, without adversely impacting the spatial fidelity of parts and machines.
(b) Within AIT factories, the effect of gravitational deflection and the impact of the environmental thermal gradient on large components and tooling structures can be significant and larger than the assembly tolerances. In such cases the dominant dimensional uncertainty source is often the effect of the environment on the parts and the structure of assembly equipment. Currently, industry has no robust mechanisms for identifying the impact of environmental uncertainty sources when seeking to demonstrate assembly conformance to design, with major consequences in terms of product verification.
(c) In order to integrate, control in real time and verify heterogeneous processes within an AIT factory it is essential to develop novel metrology networks that are scalable, affordable and can be used to create measurement-enabled production processes of superior process capability, and also to verify parts. The research challenges include; the real time fusion of measurement and uncertainty data from multiple systems, the mitigation of environmental effects through local and large volume measurement, and the definition of generic network design principles underpinned by algorithms for measurement uncertainty.
The project is important to the UK as the technologies deployed relate to the "systems modelling and integrated design/simulation" national competency and address the "flexible and responsive manufacturing" strategic theme according to TSB's document entitled 'A Landscape for the Future of High Value Manufacturing in the UK'. Strategically this proposal fits into the Manufacturing the Future theme of EPSRC. The review of the EPSRC portfolio reveals that this proposal is distinct from previous and current research.
The timeliness of the proposal is due to its building on the latest research of the three Universities, utilising current research from NPL into high-accuracy, flexible optical metrology and making use of state of the art vendor systems in large volume metrology. The combined effect of all these factors is that the underpinning knowledge, understanding and technologies required for this ambitious research are now in place, reducing research risk. Moreover, the project is timely in satisfying the industrial needs for better factory "ramp-up" flexibility and 100% product compliance with specifications at zero or minimum extra cost for high value products due to increasingly demanding customers and safety legislators. The Research Programme comprises five interrelated Research Topics (RTs) that will be carried out throughout the duration of the Grant. The RTs correspond to the research objectives and their work packages that include deliverables and milestones.
(a) Future AIT factories require product specific customisation of assembly, ultimately adapting the condition of assembly for each part, whilst ensuring assembly integrity and high process yield. The research challenges are; (i) to develop methods using accurate high frequency measurement data to control the position and orientation of parts in real-time, and (ii) to integrate semi-finishing processes with assembly, such as machining, without adversely impacting the spatial fidelity of parts and machines.
(b) Within AIT factories, the effect of gravitational deflection and the impact of the environmental thermal gradient on large components and tooling structures can be significant and larger than the assembly tolerances. In such cases the dominant dimensional uncertainty source is often the effect of the environment on the parts and the structure of assembly equipment. Currently, industry has no robust mechanisms for identifying the impact of environmental uncertainty sources when seeking to demonstrate assembly conformance to design, with major consequences in terms of product verification.
(c) In order to integrate, control in real time and verify heterogeneous processes within an AIT factory it is essential to develop novel metrology networks that are scalable, affordable and can be used to create measurement-enabled production processes of superior process capability, and also to verify parts. The research challenges include; the real time fusion of measurement and uncertainty data from multiple systems, the mitigation of environmental effects through local and large volume measurement, and the definition of generic network design principles underpinned by algorithms for measurement uncertainty.
The project is important to the UK as the technologies deployed relate to the "systems modelling and integrated design/simulation" national competency and address the "flexible and responsive manufacturing" strategic theme according to TSB's document entitled 'A Landscape for the Future of High Value Manufacturing in the UK'. Strategically this proposal fits into the Manufacturing the Future theme of EPSRC. The review of the EPSRC portfolio reveals that this proposal is distinct from previous and current research.
The timeliness of the proposal is due to its building on the latest research of the three Universities, utilising current research from NPL into high-accuracy, flexible optical metrology and making use of state of the art vendor systems in large volume metrology. The combined effect of all these factors is that the underpinning knowledge, understanding and technologies required for this ambitious research are now in place, reducing research risk. Moreover, the project is timely in satisfying the industrial needs for better factory "ramp-up" flexibility and 100% product compliance with specifications at zero or minimum extra cost for high value products due to increasingly demanding customers and safety legislators. The Research Programme comprises five interrelated Research Topics (RTs) that will be carried out throughout the duration of the Grant. The RTs correspond to the research objectives and their work packages that include deliverables and milestones.
Planned Impact
The following organisations and industry sectors will benefit from the research.
1. The co-creators and partners of this programme.
The future UK factories for Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) of the industrial partners and proposal co-creators, Astrium (telecommunication satellites) and Airbus (air structures and wing assembly) will benefit as the results of the project will allow them to:
(i) Improve their flexibility of bringing complex products to market on time. For instance, the duration of all build stages for the main satellite modules is around 12-14 months. Typical assembly tools used in these stages cost around £250k each and they are on the critical path for the satellite due to their long procurement lead times. With the measurement enabled AIT, Astrium should be able to remove the tooling from the critical path.
(ii) Enhance their factory "ramp-up" flexibility, achieving rapidly the rates of output dictated by the markets. For complex products, increasing the factory output rate is a complex and difficult task as it requires production and assembly times reduction which is difficult and time consuming to achieve without automating processes. For instance, the increase of the production rate of Airbus wings for the A320 family from 20 to more than 30 wing sets per month has been a major project for the Broughton factory. The methods developed by this proposal will allow the introduction of flexible and re-configurable automation of assembly processes and will increase yield, making ramp-up easier and cheaper to achieve.
(iii) Being able to produce with "right first time" capability. Industry requires 100% product compliance with specifications at zero or minimum extra cost for high value products due to increasingly demanding customers and safety legislators. Making metrology part of the production process will have a major impact in terms of achieving this requirement. This will have a major impact as only the cost of concessions is estimated at hundreds of millions of pounds per annum for the UK's high value sector.
2. Factory equipment design companies, metrology systems vendors and NPL.
Manufacturing systems design companies and vendors of systems (Aerotech, Renishaw, Phase Vision, GOM, Hexagon and Solartron) will benefit by gaining insights of new industrial techniques and applications. These companies will be developing the systems and technologies for the commercial application of the new methods. NPL will benefit by having a manufacturing context for the development of new metrology systems and best practice guides.
3. The UK's wider satellites, aerospace, defence, marine, renewables, civil nuclear and automotive sectors. The Tier 1 companies in the supply chains of these industry sectors will also benefit via the outreach activities of the project.
The project will seek to identify and document the generic aspects of the new technologies pioneered by the project together with the potential technical and commercial benefits. Its co-creators will be receiving regular and detailed reports of progress and technical capabilities demonstrated via the testing of methods, especially by the technology demonstrator. The project will outreach to sectors and companies not involved in the proposal via; (i) organising an annual "Factory Forum" focusing on industry, including SMEs, (ii) the dissemination of outputs via the external sections of the web portal and (iii) (iii) Expanding the user base by the engagement of selected companies, e.g., Rolls-Royce will formally join in year 2. LIMA at Bath has extensive experience and track record in technology development and business benefit codification in a
manner required by TRL stage reviews. The resources required for delivering the pathways to impact are included in the
Justification of Resources and the activities needed are included in the Work plan.
1. The co-creators and partners of this programme.
The future UK factories for Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) of the industrial partners and proposal co-creators, Astrium (telecommunication satellites) and Airbus (air structures and wing assembly) will benefit as the results of the project will allow them to:
(i) Improve their flexibility of bringing complex products to market on time. For instance, the duration of all build stages for the main satellite modules is around 12-14 months. Typical assembly tools used in these stages cost around £250k each and they are on the critical path for the satellite due to their long procurement lead times. With the measurement enabled AIT, Astrium should be able to remove the tooling from the critical path.
(ii) Enhance their factory "ramp-up" flexibility, achieving rapidly the rates of output dictated by the markets. For complex products, increasing the factory output rate is a complex and difficult task as it requires production and assembly times reduction which is difficult and time consuming to achieve without automating processes. For instance, the increase of the production rate of Airbus wings for the A320 family from 20 to more than 30 wing sets per month has been a major project for the Broughton factory. The methods developed by this proposal will allow the introduction of flexible and re-configurable automation of assembly processes and will increase yield, making ramp-up easier and cheaper to achieve.
(iii) Being able to produce with "right first time" capability. Industry requires 100% product compliance with specifications at zero or minimum extra cost for high value products due to increasingly demanding customers and safety legislators. Making metrology part of the production process will have a major impact in terms of achieving this requirement. This will have a major impact as only the cost of concessions is estimated at hundreds of millions of pounds per annum for the UK's high value sector.
2. Factory equipment design companies, metrology systems vendors and NPL.
Manufacturing systems design companies and vendors of systems (Aerotech, Renishaw, Phase Vision, GOM, Hexagon and Solartron) will benefit by gaining insights of new industrial techniques and applications. These companies will be developing the systems and technologies for the commercial application of the new methods. NPL will benefit by having a manufacturing context for the development of new metrology systems and best practice guides.
3. The UK's wider satellites, aerospace, defence, marine, renewables, civil nuclear and automotive sectors. The Tier 1 companies in the supply chains of these industry sectors will also benefit via the outreach activities of the project.
The project will seek to identify and document the generic aspects of the new technologies pioneered by the project together with the potential technical and commercial benefits. Its co-creators will be receiving regular and detailed reports of progress and technical capabilities demonstrated via the testing of methods, especially by the technology demonstrator. The project will outreach to sectors and companies not involved in the proposal via; (i) organising an annual "Factory Forum" focusing on industry, including SMEs, (ii) the dissemination of outputs via the external sections of the web portal and (iii) (iii) Expanding the user base by the engagement of selected companies, e.g., Rolls-Royce will formally join in year 2. LIMA at Bath has extensive experience and track record in technology development and business benefit codification in a
manner required by TRL stage reviews. The resources required for delivering the pathways to impact are included in the
Justification of Resources and the activities needed are included in the Work plan.
Organisations
- University of Bath (Lead Research Organisation)
- National Physical Laboratory (Collaboration)
- Renishaw (United Kingdom) (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Rolls Royce Group Plc (Collaboration)
- Airbus Group (Collaboration)
- Aerotech Design Consultants (Collaboration)
- Solartron Metrology (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Hexagon Metrology (Collaboration)
- GOM (Collaboration)
- GOM UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Phase Vision Ltd (Project Partner)
- National Physical Laboratory (Project Partner)
- Aerotech Design Consultants Ltd (Project Partner)
- Rolls-Royce (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Airbus (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Hexagon (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Dantanarayana HG
(2017)
Object recognition and localization from 3D point clouds by maximum-likelihood estimation.
in Royal Society open science
Dantanarayana, HG
(2015)
Object Recognition in 3D Point Clouds with Maximum Likelihood Estimation
Flynn J
(2016)
Improving Error Models of Machine Tools with Metrology Data
in Procedia CIRP
Francis A
(2016)
Design for Verification
in Procedia CIRP
Francis AJ
Eddy Current Measurement of Metallic Coatings on Non-Metallic Substrates
in Thin Solid Films
Lin J
(2017)
Combined measurement system for double shield tunnel boring machine guidance based on optical and visual methods.
in Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, image science, and vision
Lin J
(2020)
Design and development of a ceiling-mounted workshop Measurement Positioning System for large-scale metrology
in Optics and Lasers in Engineering
Maropoulos P
(2013)
A new paradigm in large-scale assembly-research priorities in measurement assisted assembly
in The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Martin O
(2016)
Comparative Performance between Two Photogrammetric Systems and a Reference Laser Tracker Network for Large-Volume Industrial Measurement
in The Photogrammetric Record
Mei Z
(2014)
Review of the application of flexible, measurement-assisted assembly technology in aircraft manufacturing
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture
Muelaner J
(2017)
Absolute multilateration between spheres
in Measurement Science and Technology
Muelaner J
(2014)
Large Volume Metrology Technologies for the Light Controlled Factory
in Procedia CIRP
Muelaner J
(2016)
Uncertainty evaluation method for axi-symmetric measurement machines
in International Journal of Metrology and Quality Engineering
Muelaner J
(2014)
Rapid Machine Tool Verification
in Procedia CIRP
Muelaner J
(2016)
Uncertainty of measurement for large product verification: evaluation of large aero gas turbine engine datums
in Measurement Science and Technology
Robson S
(2016)
A MEASURING APPARATUS FOR MEASURING PROPERTIES OF A SURFACE
Robson S
(2016)
Optimised multi-camera systems for dimensional control in factory environments
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture
Robson S
(2014)
Multispectral calibration to enhance the metrology performance of C-mount camera systems
in The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Ross-Pinnock D
(2016)
Thermal Compensation of Photogrammetric Dimensional Measurements in Non-standard Anisothermal Environments
in Procedia CIRP
Ross-Pinnock D
(2014)
Identification of Key Temperature Measurement Technologies for the Enhancement of Product and Equipment Integrity in the Light Controlled Factory
in Procedia CIRP
Ross-Pinnock D
Review of Industrial Temperature Measurement Technologies and Research Priorities for the Thermal Characterisation of the Factories of the Future
in Proceedings of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture
Ross-Pinnock D
(2015)
Review of industrial temperature measurement technologies and research priorities for the thermal characterisation of the factories of the future
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture
Ross-Pinnock D
(2017)
Thermal compensation using the hybrid metrology approach compared to traditional scaling
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture
Description | The research has provided additional knowledge and understanding of how to structure and integrate metrology process models for creating a factory wide metrology network and how to interface metrology systems with automation and actuation equipment in real time to realise the Measurement Assisted Assembly technical target. This knowledge will allow the research team to create a factory wide metrology network that will allow rapid and integrated product verification within the factory and will also enhance the precision of processes by interfacing metrology with process automation and robotics. It has been demonstrated that the inclusion of mechatronic (inertial) actuators may be used to reduce the machining errors that result from a machining spindle within a flexible robot fixture. |
Exploitation Route | The metrology instrument selection and inspection planning process is being further developed and applied in Case Studies at present by companies within the research consortium and once verified and validated could be made available to companies on a wider basis. Significant engagement has occured between the LCF researchers and Airbus Defence & Space, and Rolls-Royce. In the last year, GKN Aerospace has engaged directly with the research through the 'Wing of Tomorrow' project. Bath is now engaged with GKN Aerospace on the £8.8m ATI/Innovate UK Enhanced Low Cost Automation Technology (ELCAT) project, which started in February 2020. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Transport |
URL | http://www.lightcontrolledfactory.com/ |
Description | The research findings have created considerable interest within the research consortium. Airbus Defence & Space (ex Astrium) and Rolls-Royce are developing Case Studies via which to apply the new methods and develop those further in the areas of Measurement Assisted Assembly and Large Volume Metrology, respectively. For Rolls-Royce, the metrology findings have been applied to the mounting system for a Trent engine. For Airbus Defence & Space, the findings associated with laser tracking and photogrammetry have been incorporated into the NEOSAT project for the next generation of satellites. The findings have also been utilised by GKN Aerospace thorough the aerospace 'Wing of Tomorrow' project. GKN Aerospace is engaged through a contract with Airbus to manufacture the trailing edge wing spar. This will involve less dependence on jig fixtures and greater use of integrated robotics, robotic machining and optical metrology, The Bath team has been engaged with robotic/laser tracking machining and drilling trials. The integration of the laser tracking with robotic control was shouwn to give an 80% reduction in machining errors, taking the technology to TRL 3. Further engagement of the Bath team is now underway on the Wing of Tomorrow project through robotic network controller synchronisation, communication, calibration, and compensation of uncertainties in an automated system. Note that the Light Controlled Factory project has now ended, but the engagement is continuing under the Future Adanced Metrology Hub project (EP/P006930/1). Further research funding has been secured through the EU EMPIR DynaMITE project with £133k awarded to Bath to engage further with the NPL and GKN Aerospace to deliver improved, dynamic-capable and traceable measuring systems for operational use, as LVM tools & technologies allowing integration of these tools into reconfigurable factory coordinate metrology networks, that can function in typical & harsh factory environments. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | Advanced Design and Manufacturing National Technical Committee of the Aerospace and Defence KTN (member PG Maropoulos) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | The Advanced Design and Manufacturing National Technical Committee of the Aerospace and Defence KTN has created technology roadmaps that influenced the TSB (now Innovate UK) calls for collaborative research and development in the areas of aerospace and defence. The impact of the funded collaborative research and development projects arising from these calls is economic and measured via the established methods of Innovate UK. |
URL | https://connect.innovateuk.org/home |
Description | National Product Verification Programme - Steering Board (member PG Maropoulos) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Airbus Research Project - Airbus Global MAA - Future Global Industrial Solution for Wing Systems Installation |
Amount | £13,172 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RE-ME3948 (University of Bath Reference) |
Organisation | Airbus Group |
Department | Airbus Operations |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2013 |
End | 02/2015 |
Description | Algebraic modelling of 5 axis tool path motions |
Amount | £301,520 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/L006316/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2016 |
Description | Closed Loop, Automated Robotic Trimming Trials |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RE-ME4057 |
Organisation | GKN |
Department | GKN Aerospace |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2016 |
End | 02/2017 |
Description | Closed loop robotic drilling - normality trials |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | GKN |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2018 |
End | 11/2022 |
Description | EUROMET - European Metrology Research Programme - LUMINAR Project |
Amount | £121,464 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Economic Community |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 07/2013 |
End | 04/2016 |
Description | Enhanced Low Cost AutomationTechnology (ELCAT) |
Amount | £9,074,272 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 01/2023 |
Description | Future Advanced Metrology Hub |
Amount | £10,306,413 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P006930/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | Highways England with Gyrotricity - Flywheel AMB design |
Amount | £197,136 (GBP) |
Organisation | Gyrotricity |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Knowledge Transfer Programme - with Helander Precision Engineering Ltd |
Amount | £183,286 (GBP) |
Funding ID | KTP009253 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2013 |
End | 05/2016 |
Description | Light Controlled Factory associated with Rolls-Royce (B) |
Amount | £31,500 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RE-ME3925B |
Organisation | Rolls Royce Group Plc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2013 |
End | 05/2018 |
Description | Light Controlled Factory associated with Rolls-Royce (B) |
Amount | £17,500 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RE-ME3925D |
Organisation | Rolls Royce Group Plc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2015 |
End | 07/2018 |
Description | NCC Metrology Research Partnership |
Amount | £124,374 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Composites Centre (NCC) |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2013 |
End | 03/2015 |
Description | RAWFEED - Rolling Assisted Wire Feed Direct Deposition for Production of High Value Aerospace Components |
Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 101663 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 08/2016 |
Description | Sharing In Growth - Transformational Supplier Development Programme, focused on Aerospace and Nuclear supply chains (via NPL) |
Amount | £116,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RE-ME3950 (University of Bath Reference) |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2014 |
End | 04/2015 |
Title | Data from: Object recognition and localization from 3D point clouds by maximum-likelihood estimation |
Description | We present an algorithm based on maximum-likelihood analysis for the automated recognition of objects, and estimation of their pose, from 3D point clouds. Surfaces segmented from depth images are used as the features, unlike 'interest point'-based algorithms which normally discard such data. Compared to the 6D Hough transform, it has negligible memory requirements, and is computationally efficient compared to iterative closest point algorithms. The same method is applicable to both the initial recognition/pose estimation problem as well as subsequent pose refinement through appropriate choice of the dispersion of the probability density functions. This single unified approach therefore avoids the usual requirement for different algorithms for these two tasks. In addition to the theoretical description, a simple 2 degrees of freedom (d.f.) example is given, followed by a full 6 d.f. analysis of 3D point cloud data from a cluttered scene acquired by a projected fringe-based scanner, which demonstrated an RMS alignment error as low as 0.3 mm. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.37k3n |
Title | Dataset for Absolute Multilateration between Spheres |
Description | Simulation code in Matlab and simulation results in Excel for novel interferometer alignment simulation. These files provide simulation outputs and simulation code for a novel interferometer design described in 'Absolute multilateration between spheres' Jody E Muelaner, William Wadsworth, Maria Azini, Glen Mullineux, Ben Hughes and Armin Reichold Measurement Science and Technology http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6501/aa5a37 All of the simulation outputs used in the paper, together with further explanations are given in a single Excel workbook, amsSimulationOutputs.xlsx. The simulation code is available in a number of Matlab Functions and Scripts. These may also require the geom3D toolbox to be installed. The files contained in this dataset are described in 00-Readme.txt |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Description | National Product Verification Programme (NPVP) |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The Laboratory for Integrated Metrology Applications (LIMA) at the University of Bath has developed metrology based methods for checking the capability of machine tools within factories. These methods were offered to the NPL as part of the National Product Verification Programme (NPVP) and after further development they became the Product Verification Health Check Toolkit of NPVP, that has been published under Crown Copyright, with Bath having free licence to use as the originator of the IP. |
Collaborator Contribution | The National Physical Laboratory co-ordinate the NPVP initiative and is leading a funded project called Sharing in Growth. The University of Bath is participating in the Product Verification Strand of the Sharing in Growth project, that utilises the Product Verification Health Check Toolkit. NPL have also co-ordinated a series of Roadmapping sessions to define the research and development priorities of NPVP. The University of Bath is the co-ordinator of the Research and Development Theme of the NPVP. |
Impact | Funded programme - Sharing in Growth. Roadmaps for Product Verification covering Research and Development priority areas, with the University of Bath being the co-ordinator (Maropoulos). |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Light Controlled Factory Consortium |
Organisation | Aerotech Design Consultants |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The Light Controlled Factory (LCF) Consortium includes the three University partners and all collaborating companies that worked together to develop the LCF project proposal for the EPSRC grant. The Principal Investigator convenes the Consortium meeting twice a year and the research project team provides a research update via presentations, case studies and demonstrations. The industrial collaborators also give updates of their in-company developments and restate their requirements regarding the content and direction of the LCF research via case studies and applications. |
Collaborator Contribution | The in-kind contribution from the Consortium partners reflects a variety of contributions including; advice on structuring the Collaboration Agreement, technical advice on specific areas of the research carried out by the three Universities, technical project feedback and identification of Case Studies, and advice on the relevance of the research to real-world operations. The partners have also come together at the Consortium meetings to receive project progress updates and presented relevant activities and development from their own organisations, such as a case study by Airbus Defence and Space that was relevant to the scope and objectives of this project. |
Impact | At this stage of the project, outputs of this Collaboration are internal reports and published papers, concerning the description of the developed methods, algorithms, hardware and software. Outputs also include group presentations, leaflets and posters to disseminate the results of the research as outlined in the Engagement section. The definition of Case Studies with Rolls_Royce and Airbus Defence and Space is currently underway and the outcomes of these will be reported in the near future. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Light Controlled Factory Consortium |
Organisation | Airbus Group |
Department | Airbus Defence & Space |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The Light Controlled Factory (LCF) Consortium includes the three University partners and all collaborating companies that worked together to develop the LCF project proposal for the EPSRC grant. The Principal Investigator convenes the Consortium meeting twice a year and the research project team provides a research update via presentations, case studies and demonstrations. The industrial collaborators also give updates of their in-company developments and restate their requirements regarding the content and direction of the LCF research via case studies and applications. |
Collaborator Contribution | The in-kind contribution from the Consortium partners reflects a variety of contributions including; advice on structuring the Collaboration Agreement, technical advice on specific areas of the research carried out by the three Universities, technical project feedback and identification of Case Studies, and advice on the relevance of the research to real-world operations. The partners have also come together at the Consortium meetings to receive project progress updates and presented relevant activities and development from their own organisations, such as a case study by Airbus Defence and Space that was relevant to the scope and objectives of this project. |
Impact | At this stage of the project, outputs of this Collaboration are internal reports and published papers, concerning the description of the developed methods, algorithms, hardware and software. Outputs also include group presentations, leaflets and posters to disseminate the results of the research as outlined in the Engagement section. The definition of Case Studies with Rolls_Royce and Airbus Defence and Space is currently underway and the outcomes of these will be reported in the near future. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Light Controlled Factory Consortium |
Organisation | GOM |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The Light Controlled Factory (LCF) Consortium includes the three University partners and all collaborating companies that worked together to develop the LCF project proposal for the EPSRC grant. The Principal Investigator convenes the Consortium meeting twice a year and the research project team provides a research update via presentations, case studies and demonstrations. The industrial collaborators also give updates of their in-company developments and restate their requirements regarding the content and direction of the LCF research via case studies and applications. |
Collaborator Contribution | The in-kind contribution from the Consortium partners reflects a variety of contributions including; advice on structuring the Collaboration Agreement, technical advice on specific areas of the research carried out by the three Universities, technical project feedback and identification of Case Studies, and advice on the relevance of the research to real-world operations. The partners have also come together at the Consortium meetings to receive project progress updates and presented relevant activities and development from their own organisations, such as a case study by Airbus Defence and Space that was relevant to the scope and objectives of this project. |
Impact | At this stage of the project, outputs of this Collaboration are internal reports and published papers, concerning the description of the developed methods, algorithms, hardware and software. Outputs also include group presentations, leaflets and posters to disseminate the results of the research as outlined in the Engagement section. The definition of Case Studies with Rolls_Royce and Airbus Defence and Space is currently underway and the outcomes of these will be reported in the near future. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Light Controlled Factory Consortium |
Organisation | Hexagon Metrology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The Light Controlled Factory (LCF) Consortium includes the three University partners and all collaborating companies that worked together to develop the LCF project proposal for the EPSRC grant. The Principal Investigator convenes the Consortium meeting twice a year and the research project team provides a research update via presentations, case studies and demonstrations. The industrial collaborators also give updates of their in-company developments and restate their requirements regarding the content and direction of the LCF research via case studies and applications. |
Collaborator Contribution | The in-kind contribution from the Consortium partners reflects a variety of contributions including; advice on structuring the Collaboration Agreement, technical advice on specific areas of the research carried out by the three Universities, technical project feedback and identification of Case Studies, and advice on the relevance of the research to real-world operations. The partners have also come together at the Consortium meetings to receive project progress updates and presented relevant activities and development from their own organisations, such as a case study by Airbus Defence and Space that was relevant to the scope and objectives of this project. |
Impact | At this stage of the project, outputs of this Collaboration are internal reports and published papers, concerning the description of the developed methods, algorithms, hardware and software. Outputs also include group presentations, leaflets and posters to disseminate the results of the research as outlined in the Engagement section. The definition of Case Studies with Rolls_Royce and Airbus Defence and Space is currently underway and the outcomes of these will be reported in the near future. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Light Controlled Factory Consortium |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The Light Controlled Factory (LCF) Consortium includes the three University partners and all collaborating companies that worked together to develop the LCF project proposal for the EPSRC grant. The Principal Investigator convenes the Consortium meeting twice a year and the research project team provides a research update via presentations, case studies and demonstrations. The industrial collaborators also give updates of their in-company developments and restate their requirements regarding the content and direction of the LCF research via case studies and applications. |
Collaborator Contribution | The in-kind contribution from the Consortium partners reflects a variety of contributions including; advice on structuring the Collaboration Agreement, technical advice on specific areas of the research carried out by the three Universities, technical project feedback and identification of Case Studies, and advice on the relevance of the research to real-world operations. The partners have also come together at the Consortium meetings to receive project progress updates and presented relevant activities and development from their own organisations, such as a case study by Airbus Defence and Space that was relevant to the scope and objectives of this project. |
Impact | At this stage of the project, outputs of this Collaboration are internal reports and published papers, concerning the description of the developed methods, algorithms, hardware and software. Outputs also include group presentations, leaflets and posters to disseminate the results of the research as outlined in the Engagement section. The definition of Case Studies with Rolls_Royce and Airbus Defence and Space is currently underway and the outcomes of these will be reported in the near future. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Light Controlled Factory Consortium |
Organisation | Renishaw PLC |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The Light Controlled Factory (LCF) Consortium includes the three University partners and all collaborating companies that worked together to develop the LCF project proposal for the EPSRC grant. The Principal Investigator convenes the Consortium meeting twice a year and the research project team provides a research update via presentations, case studies and demonstrations. The industrial collaborators also give updates of their in-company developments and restate their requirements regarding the content and direction of the LCF research via case studies and applications. |
Collaborator Contribution | The in-kind contribution from the Consortium partners reflects a variety of contributions including; advice on structuring the Collaboration Agreement, technical advice on specific areas of the research carried out by the three Universities, technical project feedback and identification of Case Studies, and advice on the relevance of the research to real-world operations. The partners have also come together at the Consortium meetings to receive project progress updates and presented relevant activities and development from their own organisations, such as a case study by Airbus Defence and Space that was relevant to the scope and objectives of this project. |
Impact | At this stage of the project, outputs of this Collaboration are internal reports and published papers, concerning the description of the developed methods, algorithms, hardware and software. Outputs also include group presentations, leaflets and posters to disseminate the results of the research as outlined in the Engagement section. The definition of Case Studies with Rolls_Royce and Airbus Defence and Space is currently underway and the outcomes of these will be reported in the near future. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Light Controlled Factory Consortium |
Organisation | Rolls Royce Group Plc |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The Light Controlled Factory (LCF) Consortium includes the three University partners and all collaborating companies that worked together to develop the LCF project proposal for the EPSRC grant. The Principal Investigator convenes the Consortium meeting twice a year and the research project team provides a research update via presentations, case studies and demonstrations. The industrial collaborators also give updates of their in-company developments and restate their requirements regarding the content and direction of the LCF research via case studies and applications. |
Collaborator Contribution | The in-kind contribution from the Consortium partners reflects a variety of contributions including; advice on structuring the Collaboration Agreement, technical advice on specific areas of the research carried out by the three Universities, technical project feedback and identification of Case Studies, and advice on the relevance of the research to real-world operations. The partners have also come together at the Consortium meetings to receive project progress updates and presented relevant activities and development from their own organisations, such as a case study by Airbus Defence and Space that was relevant to the scope and objectives of this project. |
Impact | At this stage of the project, outputs of this Collaboration are internal reports and published papers, concerning the description of the developed methods, algorithms, hardware and software. Outputs also include group presentations, leaflets and posters to disseminate the results of the research as outlined in the Engagement section. The definition of Case Studies with Rolls_Royce and Airbus Defence and Space is currently underway and the outcomes of these will be reported in the near future. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Light Controlled Factory Consortium |
Organisation | Solartron Metrology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The Light Controlled Factory (LCF) Consortium includes the three University partners and all collaborating companies that worked together to develop the LCF project proposal for the EPSRC grant. The Principal Investigator convenes the Consortium meeting twice a year and the research project team provides a research update via presentations, case studies and demonstrations. The industrial collaborators also give updates of their in-company developments and restate their requirements regarding the content and direction of the LCF research via case studies and applications. |
Collaborator Contribution | The in-kind contribution from the Consortium partners reflects a variety of contributions including; advice on structuring the Collaboration Agreement, technical advice on specific areas of the research carried out by the three Universities, technical project feedback and identification of Case Studies, and advice on the relevance of the research to real-world operations. The partners have also come together at the Consortium meetings to receive project progress updates and presented relevant activities and development from their own organisations, such as a case study by Airbus Defence and Space that was relevant to the scope and objectives of this project. |
Impact | At this stage of the project, outputs of this Collaboration are internal reports and published papers, concerning the description of the developed methods, algorithms, hardware and software. Outputs also include group presentations, leaflets and posters to disseminate the results of the research as outlined in the Engagement section. The definition of Case Studies with Rolls_Royce and Airbus Defence and Space is currently underway and the outcomes of these will be reported in the near future. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Convenor of ISO/TC 108/SC 2/WG 7 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Setting of ISO standards in scope areas. ISO standards are applied by industry directly impacting on industrial best practice and performance. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
Description | Farnborough International Airshow |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The University of Bath had a stand in the Innovation are of the Farnborough Airshow for the complete week. Information regarding the Light Controlled Factory project funded by EPSRC was disseminated to many delegates of the Farnborough Airshow. The dissemination of information generated interest from many companies and discussions are underway for future R&D collaboration. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.farnborough.com/ |
Description | Light Controlled Factory project Consortium Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The Consortium meeting disseminates research progress information to the industrial partners and confirmes the research activities and plans for the next period. The Consortium meeting resulted in requests for case studies from the industrial partners and many useful ideas were put forward regarding the research activities of the three Universities collaborating in the Light Controlled Factory project of EPSRC. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | NPL and University of Bath scientific workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The workshop examined the alignment of research activities at NPL and the University of Bath, in the context of the Light Controlled Factory project of EPSRC. Plans have been made for expanding the collaboration between the Unversity of Bath and NPL in the areas of thermal metrology and metrology modelling within the Light Controlled Factory project of EPSRC. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | National Product Verification Programme - Advisory Board |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Professor Maropoulos participated in meetings of the Nationbal Product Verification Programme (NPVP) Advisory Board. Contributed as leader of the R&D Theme of NPVP. The Advisory Board is steering the activities of NPVP and Professor Maropoulos has defined the R&D Theme direction within NPVP. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.npl.co.uk/product-verification-services/ |
Description | National Product Verification Programme - Roadmapping |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Professor Maropoulos led the specification of Roadmaps for the R&D Themes of NPVP. Professor Maropoulos presented the Roadmaps for the R&D Themes of NPVP to the Advisory Board and received the Board's approval. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.npl.co.uk/product-verification-services/ |
Description | National Product Verification Programme - Working Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Definition of activities to deliver the national strategy in product verification. Professor Maropoulos has co-ordinated the R&D Theme's activities and future planning of the National Product Verification Programme (NPVP). Defined the recommendations of activitiews and policy actions for the Advisory Board of NPVP. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
URL | http://www.npl.co.uk/product-verification-services/ |
Description | Rolls-Royce and University of Bath Research Collaboration Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The collaboration workshop was hosted by Prof Maropoulos at the University of Bath and the discussions that took place covered common areas of research interest. After the workshop, detailed discussions took place regarding defining specific research projects between Rolls-Royce and the University of Bath and a statement of requirements has been constructed by Rolls-Royce in the area of Large Volume Metrology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | TSB Metrology Special Interest Group of HVM Catapult |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Professor Maropoulos contributed to the activities of the SIG, advising on strategy, advising on technology aspects of Large Volume Metrology and taking part in meetings. Professor Maropoulos and the University of Bath are invited in meetings of the Metrology Forum of the HVM Catapult. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Temperature Measurement Workshop, AFRC |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The talk by Mr David Ross-Pinnock entitled 'Integration of Thermal and Dimensional Metrology for Manufacturing Process and Equipment Integrity' generated considerable interest within the Metrology Forum members of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Additional collaboration between the University of Bath and the HVM Catapult is planned. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |