LIGHTWEIGHT MANUFACTURINGCENTRE

nmis.scot

1NMIS | Lightweight Manufacturing Centre

CONTENTS

Introducing the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre 2

National Manufacturing Institute Scotland 4

Benefits of lightweighting 6

Our capabilities 8

Working with us 10

Scotland’s supportive environment for manufacturers 11

Our expertise 12

NMIS | Lightweight Manufacturing Centre

The Lightweight Manufacturing Centre is the first phase of the Scottish Government’s National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and is hosted and operated by the University of Strathclyde.

The new centre focuses on working with and developing novel lightweight solutions to help manufacturing businesses face and overcome the challenges of the modern-day world.

Through working with the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre companies can access world-class expertise and technologies. The team is highly-experienced in a breadth of processes and materials and recognises that flexibility is key.

We work with businesses from across the manufacturing sector around the world: companies with low volume, high cost outputs as well as those with high volume, low cost outputs. We are flexible in our approach to materials and process challenges. Our goal is to always provide the correct material in the correct process across the sector.

Working collaboratively with industry alongside the academic world, we accelerate innovative technologies along the technology readiness level scale, from fundamental research to production readiness in an operational environment. We help manufacturers to compete globally, boost business and create a secure manufacturing future, enabling businesses to flourish and grow.

INTRODUCING THE LIGHTWEIGHT MANUFACTURING CENTRE

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Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland

The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) is set to become an internationally recognised hub for innovation, research and manufacturing in Scotland’s industrial heartland.Located next to Glasgow International Airport, only six miles from the city centre, AMIDS is supported by significant public sector investment.

It is already home to renowned international manufacturers Rolls-Royce, Thermo Fisher, Peak Scientific, Terumo Aortic and Doosan Babcock as well as the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre, the only High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre in Scotland.

The next stage of development will see a campus-style environment constructed which will be home to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC), the catalysts for the development of Scotland’s advanced manufacturing and life sciences sectors.

Location is key in manufacturing and the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre is based at Westway Park, in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland.

Situated within the Doosan Babcock facilities, the centre is a union of the old and new. Utilising one of the most recognisable manufacturing premises in the country, the innovative factory-in-factory construction mixes traditional manufacturing space with cutting-edge clean room technology.

The Scottish Government’s National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is the future of Scottish manufacturing.

A £65 million, industry-led international centre of manufacturing expertise where research, industry and the public sector will work together to transform skills, productivity and innovation to attract investment and make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing.

NMIS will be based in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire and hosted by the University of Strathclyde, adjacent to the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.

When opened, NMIS will comprise a number of technology-specific research centres, a fully digitalised factory of the future, a skills academy and a collaborative workspace for manufacturers to work together with research partners and the public sector to innovate and grow their businesses.

Companies throughout Scotland are already experiencing the benefits of NMIS through the new Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, the University of Strathclyde’s world-renowned Advanced Forming Research Centre and through the creation of the NMIS Industry Doctorate Programme in Advanced Manufacturing which is the first step toward the Manufacturing Skills Academy.

Architect’s impression of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland

NATIONAL MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE SCOTLAND

NMIS | Lightweight Manufacturing Centre

The Lightweight Manufacturing Centre is an asset to the manufacturing sector in Scotland; it fills a clear gap in the country’s expertise.

We look forward to building strong relationships with the team and developing and executing ideas for future research and development projects that will help to further strengthen Spirit’s place as a world-leading manufacturer of aero structures.” Dr Janet O’Brien-O’Reilly C.PhysPrincipal Composites Development Engineer, UK Consortiums Manager at Spirit AeroSystems

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This exciting facility will help companies right across Scotland embrace new manufacturing techniques, support cutting-edge research and help to further develop the skills of our workforce.”

Nicola Sturgeon,First Minister

BENEFITS OF LIGHTWEIGHTING

Williams FW-EVX electric vehicle chassis manufactured from an innovative carbon fibre making it 40% lighter than a typical EV chassis.

Picture courtesy of Williams Advanced Engineering

NMIS | Lightweight Manufacturing Centre

Lightweighting can deliver benefits to all manufacturers. Already adopted within the high-value aerospace and automotive industries, the concept is now being embraced by companies in the wider manufacturing sector.

It requires a holistic view of the disciplines that feature in the delivery of a successful component. The disciplines of design, simulation, design for manufacture, manufacture and assembly all play an important role.

For many companies lightweighting is about sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of a process or product; for others it is about speed and increasing the strength of a component. There are many everyday practical benefits to lightweighting such as the logistics of transporting goods and embracing processes that ultimately reduce material wastage and cut both the cost associated with a manufacturing process, and the impact on the environment.

The Lightweight Manufacturing Centre is delivering state-of-the-art materials and processes to assist Scottish industry in providing solutions to more traditional methods of manufacture.

Williams Advanced Engineering’s patented RACETRAK TM carbon fibre wishbones.

Picture courtesy of Williams Advanced Engineering

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We’ve continually supported the development of the LMC through our membership of the AFRC and it has now become an integral part of our plans to develop the next generation of wind turbine blades, the ACT Blade, which aims to reduce the cost of wind energy for future generations.”

Sabrina Malpede,Managing Director of ACT Blade

The Lightweight Manufacturing Centre is providing businesses with the means to explore new opportunities, increase and maintain competitiveness whilst also helping to develop a wide, supportive manufacturing supply chain.

We recognise that no two businesses are identical. The aspirations and demands of small, growing companies differ from those of large multi-nationals, which is why our approach depends largely on you.

We have an extensive suite of capabilities and expertise that can be exploited by all companies interested in the benefits of lightweighting.

Ultimately, we seek to find the best solution and achieve the optimal outcome for your business through identifying your aims and objectives at the outset.

OUR CAPABILITIES

NMIS | Lightweight Manufacturing Centre

Working with the LMC has been so impressive.

We had a clear vision of what we hoped to achieve and the team there was totally on-board and willing to embrace the challenge.

A true innovation leader, they turned the project around quickly and successfully and we look forward to working together on the next phase.” Michelle Ferguson,Director of Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company

From concept to recycling and remanufacture

We work with manufacturers and the wider supply chain throughout the development cycle; from providing turn-key concepts through to helping you remanufacture parts and products to reduce your environmental impact and costs associated with purchasing future raw materials.

You can choose to work with us throughout the entirety of the cycle, or at any stage that suits your needs.

Being a sister centre of the Advanced Forming Research Centre means we can also help companies tap into the wealth of expertise and knowledge within the UK Government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

ProductDevelopment

Cycle

Man

ufac

ture

& a

ssem

bly

DesignC

on

cep

t

Desig

n for

manufacture

Recycling &

remanufacture

Processselection

Testing Material

selection

Quality

1. Concept

2. Design

3. Material selection Metallic and non-metallic

4. Process selection Autoclave and out-of-autoclave

5. Design for manufacture

6. Manufacture & assembly

7. Quality Metrology NDE

8. Testing

9. Recycling & remanufacture

Working with the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre gives you access to world-class capabilities and expertise in Scotland.

We work with companies to solve problems, improve products and tackle the engineering challenges of today and tomorrow.

There are a number of routes available to companies that want to work with us as we recognise that a flexible approach is required when investing in research and development work.

Commercial projects

A commercial project is entirely your project, you’re in control of all outputs, including all intellectual property. It is a straight-forward business transaction.

The centre develops and works on commercial projects with companies of all sizes helping them to grow and sustain their business.

Collaborative research and development projects

For many businesses investing in research and development work is seen as too much of a risk – you have great ideas but sometimes lack the necessary funds to bring them to life. We can help businesses in this situation identify and access a number of different funding sources, work with you to build a network of potential collaborators and ultimately turn your ideas into a commercial reality.

We help to de-risk your research and development work.

Membership

Membership is open to any company involved in the manufacturing and engineering supply chain.

Becoming a member involves working collaboratively with other like-minded people and businesses and having access to a unique set of expertise and capabilities.

Each membership agreement is bespoke. This ensures that you get what you need from working alongside us.

WORKING WITH US

Funding for smaller businesses

Sourcing the necessary funds can be a daunting experience for smaller businesses.

We can work with you to find and access different funding opportunities, facilitating the transformation of project ideas into reality.

Providing guidance throughout the funding application process, we’ll help you find the most appropriate funding route, secure any necessary partners, and work with you to develop proposals.

Some of the funding opportunities available to smaller businesses are:

Scottish Funding Council’s Innovation Voucher Scheme

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) Route To Impact scheme through the

Advanced Forming Research Centre Innovate UK Smart Programme Scottish Enterprise R&D Support

NMIS | Lightweight Manufacturing Centre

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Scotland has a high value, high quality manufacturing sector and our diverse business base plays a central role in sustaining and growing our economy.

The world of manufacturing is experiencing rapid advances in digital technologies that are transforming the way we design, build and sell our products and services. Manufacturing businesses operating in Scotland benefit from a wealth of support for sustainable business growth.

Manufacturing accounts for:

SCOTLAND’S SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR MANUFACTURERS

Scotland’s enterprise agencies provide dedicated strategic and financial support and facilitate introduction to other specialist teams, including the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS). SMAS works intensively with manufacturing businesses across all sectors and of all sizes in Scotland, to take advantage of new opportunities to increase productivity and boost competitiveness.

*Manufacturingaccounts

for 11% of theScottish economy

*54% of Scotland’sR&D spend is within the

manufacuring sector

**Over 54% of Scotland’s international exports

are from manufacturing, valued at £17.6bn

Source: *Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS); **Export Statistics Scotland 2017

Our technical capability extends beyond our state-of-the-art equipment, it’s very much dependent upon the expertise of our people.

The Lightweight Manufacturing Centre is run by a team of highly-skilled engineers and researchers with a wealth of industry experience. Technically innovative, we also understand the demands of programme delivery when working to strict time and budget constraints.

OUR EXPERTISE

NMIS | Lightweight Manufacturing Centre

Professor Iain Bomphray, FIMechE, Director of the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre

Twenty-five years of experience working on lightweight structures in cutting edge F1 Motorsport, reaching the position of Chief Engineer - Composites and Structures with Williams.

Iain has recent experience leading design and engineering teams in automotive, aerospace and marine. He is the sole inventor of two composite processing technologies and co-author of two papers on the fracture mechanics of composite materials. Team recipient of the RAC’s SIMMS Medal for the BAR Honda F1 CFRP gearbox case.

Iain conceived the first thermoplastic composite underground train door for Transport for London and was part of the team that created the first carbon fibre gearbox case in Formula 1.

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Get in touchLightweight Manufacturing CentreNational Manufacturing Institute ScotlandBlock EWestway ParkPorterfield RoadPA4 8DJ

lightweightmanufacturing@strath.ac.ukwww.nmis.scot0141 534 5680

Issue 1May 2019

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