AMRC celebrates 12 years of advanced manufacturing with Tech Fellows conference
The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s 24th annual Tech Fellows conference culminated yesterday (31 October 2012).
Held over two days, the event also marked the first time it has been hosted in the recently launched Diamond Jubilee Knowledge Transfer Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in South Yorkshire.
Tech Fellows is run by the University of Sheffield AMRC as a way of publishing the results of generic projects, introducing new members and providing a platform for networking. Over 100 delegates from more than 70 AMRC member companies worldwide attended the momentous event. Among them were representatives from Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Messier-Dowty, Goodrich, Spirit Aerosystems and Sandvik.
More than 280 employees make up the AMRC research groups, from which 36 presentations were delivered, highlighting significant progress and future plans. Other industrial presenters included Goodrich, Hexagon Metrology, RTI and Alicona. During the conference, plans for diversification and physical expansion of the AMP site were revealed, which will commence imminently with the building of a purpose built facility to house the Design, Prototype and Test Centre, which is supported by the Technology Strategy Board and the European Regional Development Fund.
Adrian Allen, Commercial Director at the AMRC said: "We are particularly proud that the AMRC has developed into a major force in the manufacturing industry with an impressive international presence. Backed by such an eclectic mix of powerful industry members, the potential of the AMRC is limitless."
Marcello Grassi, Head of Technology at Spirit Aerosystems Europe said: "As a member of the AMRC, I am extremely impressed with the broad spectrum of capabilities and research available here. To provide so many technology strands under one roof is truly a unique offering that sets the AMRC apart from other research centres. Spirit Aerosystems is highly optimistic about its future within the AMRC and the opportunity to expand its R&D portfolio."
Lem Hunter, CEO of Vibrant Corporation said: "The networks I’ve gained through the research undertaken here at the AMRC make it possible for my business to remain, and indeed expand its efforts in Sheffield."
Additional information
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sheffield
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sheffield - the 2011 Times Higher Education’s University of the Year - is one of the largest in the UK. Its seven departments include over 4,000 students and 900 staff and have research-related income worth more than £50M per annum from government, industry and charity sources. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed that two thirds of the research carried out was either Internationally Excellent or Internationally Leading.
The Faculty of Engineering has a long tradition of working with industry including Rolls-Royce, Network Rail and Siemens. Its industrial successes are exemplified by the award-winning Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the new £25 million Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC).
The Faculty of Engineering is set to ensure students continue to benefit from world-class labs and teaching space through the provision of the University's new Engineering Graduate School. This brand new building, which will become the centre of the faculty´s postgraduate research and postgraduate teaching activities, will be sited on the corner of Broad Lane and Newcastle Street. It will form the first stage in a 15 year plan to improve and extend the existing estate in a bid to provide students with the best possible facilities while improving their student experience.
Contact
For further information please contact:
Shemina Davis
Acting Media Relations Manager
The University of Sheffield
0114 222 5339
shemina.davis@sheffield.ac.uk