Droitwich based company Barton Coldform Ltd has secured a contract with the Ford Motor Company thanks in part to the implementation of an innovative new process developed with WMG, University of Warwick.

The contract, worth £300,000 to the company, was awarded following the development of prototype parts that were produced using the latest additive manufacturing (3D Printing) techniques through an innovativeprogramme based at WMG, University of Warwick.

The programme offers West Midlands SMEs the opportunity to access a range of cutting edge technologies to develop innovative new products and services. The programme operates from a dedicated facility called the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Using traditional methods, it would normally take Barton Coldform up to 14 weeks to produce tooling to create demonstrator parts and products. Now using additive manufacturing technology, the process takes just days.

The new process has realised significant time saving giving customers far quicker access to their prototype parts, resulting in the whole supply chain saving both time and money.. Importantly, customers now have a better understanding of their component or product before and during the tooling design and development phase. The ability to see the physical part allows engineers to 'touch' their design and communicate any changes whilst also being able to review those parts that might need re-engineering.

Andrew Nuttall, managing director of Barton Coldform Ltd said

“Barton are proud of their position at the forefront of UK manufacturing innovation and are confident that this technology will revolutionise certain areas of our pre-manufacturing processes. Whilst we are not yet able to make actual parts using 3D printing, being able to showcase the fit and form of our parts to customers so quickly means that lead times are much shorter. Our customers can now move their design and production forward to meet the increasingly short deadlines demanded.”

Dr Mark Swift, head of SME programmes at WMG said “We are delighted that Barton Coldform Ltd has been able to use this technology to their advantage. Many other manufacturers in the region are also seeing positive impact through the programme we have which has been supporting West Midlands SMEs for almost four years now.”

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For further information please contact:

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy,
University of Warwick
Tel UK: 024 76523708 office 07767 655860 mobile
Tel Overseas: +44 (0)24 76523708 office +44 (0)7767 655860 mobile/cell
Email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

Lisa Barwick, Head of Marketing and Communications, WMG, University of Warwick Tel: 024 76 524721 or 07824 540845 L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk

Adam Dent, Advent Communications Advent Communications

2 Edison Building

Electric Wharf

Sandy Lane

Coventry CV1 4JA

T: 02476 633 636

M: 07785 594415

Further Information:

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy, University of Warwick Tel UK: 024 76523708 office 07767 655860 mobile Tel Overseas: +44 (0)24 76523708 office +44 (0)7767 655860 mobile/cell Email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

Lisa Barwick, Head of Marketing and Communications, WMG, University of Warwick Tel: 024 76 524721 or 07824 540845 L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk

Adam Dent, Advent Communications Advent Communications

2 Edison Building

Electric Wharf

Sandy Lane

Coventry CV1 4JA

T: 02476 633 636

M: 07785 594415