Jan 25 2019
The Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CFMS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Composites Centre (NCC) to build a joint digital capability and develop new technologies for the design and rapid manufacture of high-quality composite products.
Together, the organizations bring the specialist composite engineering and digital design capabilities needed to accelerate the shift to digital composites manufacturing, in turn speeding up the process from concept to product development at large scales.
Maximize Productivity by Adopting Industrial Digital Technology
With a common interest in identifying disruptive technological advances, the collaboration between CFMS and the NCC will help create a mutual understanding of the strategy and business needs of both organizations, as well as those in the wider engineering and manufacturing industries.
Both organizations will also work together to unlock a series of engineering challenges highlighted in the UK Government’s Made Smarter Review, an industry-led review that sets out how UK manufacturing could maximize productivity through the adoption of industrial digital technology. By combining their strengths, the NCC and CFMS will create a blueprint for the composites industry to deliver Industry 4.0 ambitions.
Automation for High-quality Parts at Reduced Cost
Sam Paice, Chief Operating Officer at CFMS, said: “Partnering with organizations that share our vision and passion to advance innovation capability and develop strategic advantage in the global marketplace is a key focus for CFMS. The partnership with the NCC is a further demonstration of the regional strength in advanced engineering. We already have a close relationship with the organization, both geographically and through previous collaborations, so with the formal partnership now in place we intend to continue transforming design, engineering and manufacturing processes and unlock new business models through new digital services.”
Richard Oldfield, CEO, National Composites Centre, said: “The NCC has invested £200m in capabilities to drive the digital revolution in the design and manufacture of composite products, to make composites a truly mass-market proposition for the first time. The partnership with CFMS enhances our digital capability offering to our customers and their wider supply chains, and supports our ambition to stimulate growth in the sector. Our team of 350 specialist engineers is looking forward to working with CFMS on developing new digital solutions.”
The two organizations have previously collaborated on projects including Computer Learning in Automated Manufacturing Processes (CLAMPS), which:
- Demonstrates the integration of predictive machine learning to drive improvements and
- Minimize variability within a composites manufacturing process
The collaborative project highlights the digitalization and automation steps necessary to ensure consistently high-quality parts, ultimately reducing costs.
CFMS, an independent, not-for-profit specialist in digital engineering capability, encourages the exchange of ideas and supports the development of innovative and collaborative practices, as well as provides a digital test bed for the design of high-value engineering products and processes.
The NCC, which is located with CFMS at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, is a world leading authority on composites, bringing together the best minds and cutting-edge technology to solve the world’s most complex engineering challenges.