Research theme - Manufacturing
This area of the website was developed initially for the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).
Cranfield is ranked third in the UK for the impact of its mechanical, aeronautical and manufacturing research*. Since 2001 manufacturing research at Cranfield has developed to integrate product design, manufacturing systems and precision technologies. The Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (IMRC), has been central to this integration. This was established with £7.8m of EPSRC funding in 2002. The IMRC has recently been reviewed by EPSRC and continuation funding of £10m awarded for the next five years. This now provides a platform for further integration, across the wider university, for continued growth of manufacturing research.
In Competitive Design within the Decision Engineering Centre, we conduct multidisciplinary research in cost engineering, applied soft computing and product engineering which provides facts, techniques and infrastructure required for competitive design. The core research is delivering:
- a better understanding of the development and manufacturing costs of aero-structures, automotive components and systems such as hydraulics for aircraft
- design optimisation
- applied soft computing
- design information management.
A partnership exists between Cranfield University, and the University of Arts London (UAL) through the Centre for Competitive Creative Design, which aims to inspire organisations to apply creative design capability and enhance competitiveness.
In Manufacturing Systems the core research capabilities are:
- computer simulation techniques
- manufacturing operations strategy
- innovation and
- electronic task support
In Precision Technologies, core research capabilities are centred around major projects that include a RCUK Basic Technologies grant for the design, development and build of the Big OptiX (BoX) grinding machine together with new reactive atom plasma processing technology for the production of large scale optics; the 3D-Mintegration Grand Challenge and the recently established EPSRC £8m Integrated Knowledge Centre (IKC) in ultra precision and structured surfaces. Key research areas include:
- precision machine technologies including machine tool design
- advanced fabrication processes
- process development including abrasive machining, diamond turning and plasma assisted machining
- microengineering including micromachining
- photochemical machining
- metrology.
* In relation to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).
Key research staff in Manufacturing include:
- Professor John Corbett
- Professor Peter Sackett
The four research themes in the School of Applied Sciences are:
