The Manufacturing Technology Centre

Recently, I visited the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) spread across a 12,000 square metre facility in Ansty Park, Coventry.

Established in 2010 to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and founded by the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham and TWI Ltd., the MTC is one of the seven centres, which make up the high value manufacturing catapult network in the UK. The MTC transforms new ideas into commercial reality using state-of-the-art machinery and expertise. In other words, the MTC develops and demonstrates new technologies on an industrial scale.

During my visit, Peter Corby, Industrial Partnership Manager, gave me a tour of the different testing facilities. The MTC specialises in a range of manufacturing processes, which are relevant for the high value manufacturing sector:

• Net shape manufacturing (NSM) – developing methods of producing parts close to final geometry without the need for extensive machining
• Intelligent automation – developing automations ability to carry out the manufacturing task
• Advanced tooling and fixturing – developing reliable and repeatable tooling systems
• Electronics manufacturing – a full, conveyorised surface mount line, together with conventional assembly and process characterisation equipment, which allows for offline debugging of new machines and concepts
• Manufacturing simulation – providing expertise in modelling
• High integrity fabrication (HIF) – development and validation of joining (fusion and solid state welding) and other fabrication processes to a level ready for production implementation
• Metrology and non destructive testing (NDT) – integration of advanced inspection technologies such as optical scanning and X-ray computed tomography into the manufacturing process.

The MTC boasts of 60 members including organisations such as Airbus, ABB, Delcam, Alstom, Sandvik Coromant, and Rolls Royce. By becoming a member of the MTC, organisations can avail a range of services including consultancy support for specific problems, and long-term relationships for programme based projects. Please contact Steve Statham, Business Development Manager to find out more about the eligibility criteria and application process for membership of the MTC.

The projects undertaken by the MTC are classified into the following categories –

• process integration, demonstration and improvement through technology readiness level (TRL)
• capability demonstration, improvement and stability assessment
• design, make and test
• problem definition, requirements capture and development strategy development
• benchmarking and identification of state of the art
• collaborative and government projects

In a recent development, the UK government pledged £30 million in funding for the development of new high-tech aerospace technology at the MTC. This funding will be matched by industry, thereby cementing government-industry partnership through the UK’s aerospace industrial strategy.

Over lunch, I met with the Chief Executive, Dr. Clive Hickman, who shared his plans for engaging with India in the near future. Watch for this space for my interview with Clive.