Advanced manufacturing project officially launched

29 August, 2019

The Faculty of Science and Engineering secured the funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to deliver a ‘Composites & Additive Layer Materials Engineering Research & Innovation Centre’ (CALMERIC).

The specialist project is being run by the University’s School of Engineering at the Telford Innovation Campus. CALMERIC will support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) based Shropshire and Staffordshire to carry out research and innovation projects in the field of advanced engineering materials.

The project was officially launched by the Telford and Wrekin Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Stephen Reynolds and Councillor Shirley Reynolds and the Vice-Chancellor at the University, Professor Geoff Layer.

Guests included representatives from local manufacturing businesses, the Chair of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, Graham Wynn OBE and School of Engineering staff.

High-performance components

Professor Andrew Pollard, the CALMERIC project director, said: “CALMERIC supports advanced engineering and manufacturing companies to develop high-performance components that are lightweight and make efficient use of materials. These advantages are particularly relevant to businesses operating within aerospace, automotive, motorsport and wind energy supply chains.

“Our research team will look to build the innovation capacity of Shropshire and Staffordshire manufacturing companies by offering them access to specialist skills and resources. The team has an international reputation in Composite and Additive Layer Materials through our current and historical research activities as well as experience in managing ERDF projects.

“Our ultimate aim is to improve the performance of regional and national businesses operating within advanced manufacturing supply chains.”

CALMERIC is linked to the University’s School of Engineering, which has established an internationally renowned capability in Additive Layer Manufacturing at its Telford Campus and over the last year has invested a further £10 million in buildings and facilities; including a wind tunnel, autoclave, 3D printing and laboratories dedicated to metrology and materials.

A team of academic specialists led by Dr Syed Hasan, head of the School of Engineering, Mark Stanford, Professor of Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Andrew Pollard, Industrial Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering will work alongside companies, utilising specialist materials for manufacturing and testing equipment.

Collaboration

CALMERIC works in collaboration with companies that don’t presently have full in-house capability to develop advanced components manufactured using composite or additive layer technologies. Research Collaborations typically involve high level design and engineering analysis, prototyping, testing and material or microstructure analysis.

The CALMERIC project will run until December 2021. Any business in Shropshire or Staffordshire interested in collaborating should contact 01902 323298, calmeric@wlv.ac.uk.

Image caption - From left to right: Dr Syed Hasan, head of School of Engineering at the University, Professor Geoff Layer, Vice Chancellor at the University, Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Mayoress of Telford & Wrekin, Councillor Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Telford & Wrekin and Professor Andrew Pollard, CALMERIC project director.