DS-FEB22-PG06+07_Layout 1 11/02/2022 13:05 Page 6
INDUSTRY NEWS
NEW PROJECT TO OFFER BENEFITS ACROSS COMPONENT MANUFACTURING THROUGH FORGING, FORMING AND AM
Aerospace companies including Airbus and Safran Landing Systems are working with a consortium led by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) on a project aiming to offer a major sustainability boost, along with cost and lead time savings, across critical component manufacturing through a combination of forging, forming and additive manufacturing. Although currently focused on the aerospace sector, the method will be applicable across a wide variety of industries including oil and gas, defence, space and automotive. Funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute
(ATI), and supported by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the ‘Hybrid Direct Energy Deposition (DED) Sprint’ project partners include NMIS Digital Factory, Cranfield University and the Northern Ireland Technology Centre (NITC), which is based at Queen’s University Belfast, along with an industry steering group of 13 companies. The group is working to devise a new Hybrid
DED process that will help overcome current challenges that manufacturers face in relation to the expensive and time-consuming process of manufacturing critical components required to operate under harsh environments. Key aerospace parts, such as those within an
aircraft’s landing gear, are traditionally forged and then machined, but using Hybrid DED methodologies can reduce tooling, forging and machining requirements. Adding features directly onto forged and formed substrates using AM leads to a more efficient manufacturing process with less materials waste – providing significant cost and sustainability benefits. This also opens up opportunities for new repair and remanufacture methods. The first two phases of the project, led by NMIS, which is operated by the University of Strathclyde, and Cranfield University are already under way, with plans to deliver a demonstrator component later this year. The third phase, led by the NITC at Queen’s University Belfast, will focus on PKM machining, while the final proof of concept phase will compare traditional and alternative manufacturing routes. Stephen Fitzpatrick, Additive Manufacturing and Machining lead at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, who is PI on the project, said: “This project has real potential to deliver more efficient alternative manufacturing routes for aerospace companies, and will enable key industry drivers such as
SAFETY SEAL MANUFACTURER ROXTEC RECEIVES MULTIPLE ORDERS FROM ALSTOM TRAINS
Safety seal manufacturer Roxtec is supplying Alstom on several rail projects including multi-million pound upgrades to train fleets for the West Midlands, South Western Railway and Greater Anglia. The company has also won new orders from Alstom to supply its £100m-plus deal to deliver new trains for c2c, which operates across south Essex and east London. Roxtec is supplying bespoke designed parts including seals for the carriage-to-carriage power
cables and rooftop pantograph terminal boxes. The seals serve as a barrier against water, fire, dust, moisture and oil. The pantograph is located on the roof of the train and collects the electricity needed to power the train. Roxtec’s seals are also being used for general environmental sealing and strain relief and retention on board the trains. The company is working closely with Alstom to create cost
effective designs, including using aluminium to reduce weight. Earlier this year it was announced that Roxtec is
undertaking an extensive six-figure deal to help upgrade the London Underground.
www.roxtec.com/uk
reduced embodied emissions, remanufacturing, and more resilient supply chains.” Dr Misael Pimentel, manufacturing engineer at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, who is leading the project, added: “The use of AM coupled with forging and PKM technologies takes a transformative approach to this process, offering the potential to reduce lead time, production costs and material waste, while supporting the drive towards net zero targets and creating a production model that genuinely contributes to a circular economy.”
www.nmis.scot
RDS ACHIEVES MEDICAL DEVICE ACCREDITATION
Review Display Systems has achieved accreditation to the ISO13485:2016 medical device quality management system standard, enabling it to actively partner with med-tech businesses to provide medical device design, development, and product manufacturing. ISO13485:2016 has been implemented
to support medical device manufacturers in designing and developing quality management systems that establish and maintain the effectiveness of their processes and procedures. The standard ensures consistent design, development, production, installation and delivery of medical devices that are safe for their intended purpose. As a result of achieving accreditation, the
IFM JOINS INNOVATION HUB AS IOT PARTNER
Innovation hub, HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology operated by IN4 Group, has formed an exclusive industrial Internet of Things (IoT) partnership with ifm electronic. IN4 Group has established a pedigree in enabling industrial digital technology adoption within SMEs. The partnership will further enhance the support and upskilling of teams to accelerate digitalisation to achieve higher productivity and business growth. ifm provides professional guidance and support for HOST members in MediaCity and across all its programmes to introduce and implement tailored digitisation solutions towards the creation of smart factories of
the future for start-ups and SMEs. Alongside its expansion to the North West, ifm
has provided two demonstrators for HOST’s Labs, allowing companies to use the latest technology to test and verify IoT business use cases. In addition, HOST will be working in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and CloudRail, providing a complete end to end solution from industrial sensors to AWS services, enabling companies to connect industrial machines in hours instead of weeks.
www.ifm.com/gb/en
hostsalford.com
in4group.co.uk
6 DESIGN SOLUTIONS FEBRUARY 2022
company is now seeking to engage and develop partnerships with established med- tech companies, medical device design and consultancy businesses, and new start-up businesses, to aid and assist product designers and system engineers in the design, development and production of electronic medical devices and equipment.
T: 01959 563345
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