We work on a wide range of projects, covering aspects of process development, process application, materials development, supply chain and logistics. All our research is collaborative with industry, addressing real challenges that manufacturing is experiencing today
Responsive Additive Manufacture to Overcome Natural and Attack-based disruption
This research focuses specifically on Additive Manufacturing (AM) supply chains as part of a responsive manufacturing system, to address the significant security challenges within manufacturing supply chains to ensure greater levels of supply chain resilience for both UK and global manufacturing. Our vision is to create a practicable methodology for responsive AM that is able to detect and respond to internal and external factors caused by malicious or natural events. To achieve this, we will develop methods that can be used to DETECT anomalies in the manufacturing system, ANALYSE the impact of the disruption and RESPOND via the implementation of a modified manufacturing process.
Capacity Building for Prototyping Compatible Injection Moulding
Injection moulding tools are typically fabricated to last millions of moulding cycles. For small feature size, high-resolution devices, the tools can be very expensive and have a protracted lead-time, and therefore not well suited for prototyping. However, it is not necessary to apply the same robustness constraints for prototyping and development. With this in mind, we have proposed a new approach suitable for low-cost prototyping of microdevices using microfabricated inserts made using Additive Manufacturing. We aim to establish and develop a service for “prototyping-compatible injection moulding” to respond quickly to market pull. We also seek to accelerate the development of high-added value products for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) through incorporation of sensors and data science approaches on the soft-tooled injection moulding process.
Innovative Manufacturing Processes for Helmet Shells
This project aims to develop new and novel methods offering customisation of mass-produced industrial safety helmets and investigation of the integration of the Additive Manufacturing technologies within the existing infrastructure and supply-chain.
Residual Stress Reduction in Powder Bed Fusion 3D Inconel 718 by Laser Preening
This project aims to assess the effect of laser peening conditions on the residual surface stress state of Powder Bed Fused IN718 alloy components with a view to mitigating the negative effects of this stress on their mechanical performance through-life, and in particular their fatigue durability.
3D Printing of LifePO4 Batteries
The aim of this project is to develop the materials and processing parameters for the 3D Printing of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) electrodes for micro energy storage devices to maximise the energy storage capabilities of the devices.
3D Printing of Perovskite Materials for Energy Generation
This project aims to develop the aerosol jet 3D Printing of perovskite ceramic materials onto structures for solar energy generation in land transport modalities.
Additive Manufacture of Magnesium Alloys (Innovate UK)
Magnesium alloys are utilised in the aerospace and automotive sectors due to their low density and favourable strength to weight ratio (high specific strength) to achieve light weight structures. So far, the AM of Magnesium alloys has only been demonstrated at a feasibility level (TRL 3) and no serious manufacturing capability exists for functional components. This project proposes to solve the current issues with its manufacture, developing the necessary process parameters and postprocess treatments to enable robust and repeatable manufacture of functional high-performance magnesium alloy components for aerospace applications (TRL 6).
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