Materials, Advanced Design
&
Manufacturing
00
Keywords
Prototyping, product design, new product development
Expertise
The University has first-class facilities to support
product design, modelling, analysis and prototyping.
It can also demonstrate extensive experience in the
exploitation of innovative techniques to support new
product developments.
Facilities include CATIA, a leading product design and
innovation tool, and Pro-E. CATIA supports 3D modelling,
kinematic and virtual reality applications. We also have the
Abacus platform for thermal, dynamic and stress modelling.
1.3
Product design and prototyping
86
1.4
Microsystems design
Keywords
Microsystems, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS),
micro-fluidics, product design, product modelling
Expertise
The University has state-of-the-art femtosecond laser
and Wyco surface measurement systems which make
it possible to customise an entire new spectrum of nano
and micro surface properties. We have contributed to
the development of powerful MEMS software and also
modelled and analysed microsystems (eg an innovative
wireless implantable pressure sensor). We have expertise
in designing and evaluating the performance of
micro-fluidic and micro-ultrasonic systems.
1.5
Rapid manufacturing
Keywords
Rapid manufacturing
Expertise
High-throughput manufacturing is a key factor for
competitive performance and the University has expertise
in a range of rapid manufacturing methods. These include
high-speed machining which impact directly on shop floor
productivity and additive layer manufacturing processes,
such as 3D printing, Envision systems and laser scanning
equipment for product digitisation. We have also devised
and developed two new rapid manufacturing methods:
selective laser melting (SLM) and spiral growth
manufacturing (SGM).
