EPSRC issues call for novel production processes

Swindon, UK- The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has this week highlighted three production process areas that it believes are critical to the UK economy.

The group has requested research proposals in the areas of reconfigurable assembly systems, self-adaptive equipment and automation and mechanisation.

These proposals must address one of more issues including modular approaches towards production system construction, standardised systems of production design, novel adaptive tooling and real-time process analytics.

According to thr group, UK manufacturing has increasingly focused upon high value, low-volume products and processes to remain competitive.

Maintaining productivity and reliability, while allowing flexibility and adaptability, is a major technological challenge going forward.

In the future, the market is expected to increasingly demand highly flexible manufacturing capability - processes with short cycle times and the ability to rapidly and efficiently reconfigure themselves to accommodate new customised products.

Currently, high-value manufacturing industries comprise 13% of the UK economy and over 50% of UK exports.

Dave Delpy, chief executive of the EPSRC said: “This call will allow for grants of between £1 million and £2.5 million to be spent on research projects spanning up to five years. They will fund highly challenging areas of research which are vital for the UK’s continued growth.

“Improving production systems is a key component of the country’s manufacturing future along with developing advanced materials and training the next generation of manufacturing professionals.”