A 250-page review of 2017 in the manufacturing, engineering and technology sectors, written by experts

The MTC – Driving Industry 4.0

Above: Manufacturing Technology Centre, Ansty Business Park, near Coventry, West Midlands

2017 has been a significant year of growth and success for the Manufacturing Technology Centre – MTC. One of the major developments of the past 12 months has been its rising influence in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

The MTC has taken significant steps to establish itself as the ‘go to’ centre for the industry, putting knowledge and collaboration at the forefront of our activities. The development of a Construction and Infrastructure Roadmap, which will drive a pathway for innovation, draws on Industry 4.0 technologies including robotics, simulation, virtual and augmented reality. The roadmap is backed by the Construction Leadership Council and a range of partners in i3P (Infrastructure Innovation Platform).

It will look at successes in other industries and seek to transfer knowledge and manufacturing capability. The MTC has been bolstered by Kier, Skanska, Network Rail and HS2 joining as members. it is also partnering with Digital Built Britain to develop and deliver training for the competencies required for five key ‘digital’ roles needed by the modern construction industry. These frameworks are expected to be ready by March 2018.

This year’s Digitalising Manufacturing Conference, now in its third year, saw the launch of the Made Smarter Review – an in-depth look at the challenges and requirements to make Britain a world leader in industrial digitalisation. The emphasis is now on the ‘implementation’ to mobilise and drive the UK’s manufacturing base, throughout the supply chain.

 

The MTC was selected to be the bench-marking additive manufacturing (AM) centre for the European Space Agency and had a significant contribution to
the formulation of the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing.

This year saw a number of leading AM companies join MTC, which has just secured a substantial project to produce the UK’s first fully reconfigurable AM factory.

This is the third year of the MTC’s Digitalising Manufacturing conference and the level of progression and experience has been great
Paul O’Donnel, MTA

Other successes

  • The MTC now has 120 youngsters on its Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship•
  • Membership has surpassed the 100 mark. New members include Network Rail, Kier, FICO, Johnson & Johnson, Panasonic, Materialise, Europac and Origin International
  • Collaborative partnerships were established with Danish Institute of Technology and Upper Austria Research

THE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AT A GLANCE

The Manufacturing Technology Centre, founded in 2010, provides a specialised environment for the development and demonstration of innovation to be used on an industrial scale. A leading proponent of Digitising Manufacturing, it is home to the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing and works with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to global corporations, in aerospace, marine, defence, construction and food and drink.

The Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre, a purpose-built facility for the MTC’s apprenticeship programme and manufacturing training courses, is equipped as a state-of-the-art conference and events facility. The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Manufacturing Technology Centre, Technologies
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