Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing processes take Three-Dimensional (3D) computer aided design (CAD) data and directly print or grow parts in a variety of polymeric, metallic, organic and ceramic materials.
We work across a wide variety of sectors to realise the benefits that can come from understanding and implementing advanced manufacturing techniques. We have a grounded experience over the past eleven years in actively engaging with companies of all sizes, helping to inspire technological innovation and functional product development.
Download the Advanced Manufacturing factsheet
Access Expertise
- High power microwave engineering
- Micro and nano systems
- Nuclear and renewable energy
- Radiometrics and special instruments
- Rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing
- Structures, design and manufacturing
Benefits of Collaboration
- Access unique knowledge and technologies
- Access computer-aided engineering and analysis software, used from concept product development through to full manufacturing lifecycle management
- Access our additive manufacturing facility, accessible as a technology demonstrator, learning resources and operational prototyping and manufacturing facility
- Access a range of options for engaging student resource
- Tap into our global network
Working in Partnership
Our collaborators range from Northwest small and medium enterprises and global organisations such as QinetiQ, National Nuclear Laboratory, The Linde Group(formerly BOC Plc), Sellafield Nuclear Power Station, Bloodhound Supersonic Car Programme, BAE Systems, Yorkshire Water, United Utilities and the Department for Transport.
We have successfully secured and delivered several multi-million pound projects, the latest being Support for Design and Rapid Manufacturing, a £2m business support programme for Northwest-based small and medium enterprises, part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Between 2009-2013 we provided bespoke design and additive manufacturing technology expertise for 156 companies, creating over 45 new jobs and safeguarding over 100 new jobs.
Our enterprise activities are organised across eight key interdisciplinary themes which build on disciplinary excellence and provide natural points of collaboration:
Forming Partnerships
Organisations can access our expertise through five types of collaborative partnership:
- Collaborative research
- Commercialisation of intellectual property
- Professional training
- Student engagement
- Facilities for research and development
Partnership Examples
- Microfluidic/biofluidic devices, electronics design for test, reliability and health monitoring
- Voice recognition for speech therapy
- Nuclear medicine-radiation detection
- Rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing for a wide range of industrial applications, e.g. aerospace and automotive components, packaging, medical devices, surgical guides, personal protective equipment, and consumer products
Developing New Medical Devices
Two MEng project teams provided advanced manufacturing expertise for AmDel Medical Limited to optimise an optical speculum (a device to aid injections in the eye) and an arterial connector ready for full manufacturing.
30 optical speculum rapid prototypes were produced for final clinical assessment, and the arterial connector was granted its European Patent and is under construction ready for launch.
