NUCLEAR AMRC | ADVERTORIAL
reactor vessels. The South African researchers visited the Nuclear AMRC to trial their WeldCore technology, originally developed for the oil and gas industry, on a mock-up SMR pressure vessel, with the centre’s engineers then carrying out rigorous material testing of the repairs. The Nuclear AMRC is now expanding its technical capabilities into emerging areas in digital engineering, controls and instrumentation, and additive manufacturing, with a second factory-scale facility in Derby at the heart of the UK manufacturing industry. The new Nuclear AMRC Midlands focuses on later-stage development in technology areas which will deliver the maximum impact for the nuclear supply chain, with an expansive open-plan workshop for work on large demonstration fabrications and assemblies. The Nuclear AMRC also operates a dedicated facility
at Birchwood Park, a major nuclear cluster in North West England, to develop modular manufacturing techniques for new designs of reactor and other complex systems.
Supply chain development Alongside the nuts and bolts of manufacturing R&D, the Nuclear AMRC works with companies along the UK’s nuclear supply chain to help them compete by raising quality, reducing costs, and developing new capabilities. The flagship Fit For Nuclear (F4N) programme allows
companies to measure their operations against industry standards and take the necessary steps to close any gaps, and has become an industry-recognised hallmark of business excellence. More than 100 UK suppliers currently have F4N status, and have together reported more than £2 billion worth of new contracts won with the centre’s support. The F4N programme has been continually refined and
improved since its launch in 2011, to support a wider range of companies in more depth. In 2023, the centre worked with companies at every tier of the supply chain, from the nuclear primes to SMEs, to ensure that F4N is itself fit for the future of the nuclear energy sector. In its next stage of evolution, F4N will offer companies
a range of additional targeted support, including industry training courses, networking and discussion events, links to suitable market opportunities, and help with achieving formal quality certifications such as ISO 19443. Other countries have taken lessons from F4N to support their own domestic supply chains. The Nuclear AMRC’s team of industrial advisors are currently working on a pilot programme in North America, again in partnership with EPRI. The team’s experience with F4N and other supply
chain programmes has given them deep insight into the capabilities and capacity of UK manufacturers, which means that they are regularly called on by international nuclear developers to help identify capable and reliable supply partners for major UK projects. Supply chain readiness studies can help reactor developers, OEMs and top-tier suppliers to understand the capabilities of UK manufacturers to deliver components and systems for their technology, identifying potential suppliers and addressing any gaps. Whether through manufacturing innovation or supply chain development, the Nuclear AMRC has the expertise and resources to deliver real impact for partners across the sector. ■ Visit our website:
namrc.co.uk enquiries@namrc.co.uk
www.neimagazine.com | WNE Special Edition | 39
Above: The centre offers access to an array of production- scale facilities for machining, joining and inspection
Left: Researchers are applying digital technologies such as augmented reality to the challenges of nuclear.
Below: Researchers tested new weld repair techniques in an international collaboration with Nelson Mandela University.
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