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The Computational Mechanics and Reliability Group at the University of Greenwich has been developing design and materials modelling expertise and tools for electronic manufacturing and reliability since the late 1990s. This case study details economic and environmental impacts and impacts on practitioners. In particular it shows how our expertise has:
The Computational Mechanics and Reliability Group at the University of Greenwich has been developing computational methods for predicting material behaviour and component reliability since the late 1990s. This case study details economic and environmental impacts and impacts on practitioners. In particular it shows how our expertise has:
Research led by Professor Chapman at the Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) lab has resulted in a thriving partnership with the aerospace division of Rolls-Royce. KBE research captures domain-based knowledge and integrates it into refined computational models with automated tools to enhance design processes for engineering complex systems. This research has contributed to important improvements in the design processes used by Rolls-Royce to achieve substantial benefits in terms of accuracy, efficiency and ease of design and innovation in the development of jet engines. The techniques have also been exploited to enhance decision support processes for sustainable energy.
The impact relates to improved productivity, operational efficiency, working practice and knowledge management within the European maritime industry through the use of a Virtual Integration Platform (VIP). The platform is a software package developed within the University of Strathclyde that has been used by eleven European ship design, engineering and project management consultancies, which specialise in the application of advanced computational design, analysis and physical modelling techniques within projects on an international scale. Specific company benefits of using the VIP include: 67% reduction in process time; guaranteed data consistency; additional productivity of 15 hours/day from automated over-night operation; capturing and reuse of expertise; cost effectiveness (lack of data consistency typically costs €100k per project); and ease of operation within complex design processes.
Software has been developed by City University London in cooperation with Rolls-Royce that exploits the strengths of Bayesian statistics in improving the design of aircraft engines. The software, `4Cast', allows engineers to elicit design characteristics that in turn allow the design to be modelled relative to reliability targets. The targets are determined by failure rates. This enables better evaluation of design choices and of the risk of faults and failures in engines and supports rapid decisions as to whether a proposed design meets requirements.
By using 4Cast to enumerate reliability, Rolls-Royce has been able to determine confidence in asset management and in project management policies. 4Cast also supports Rolls-Royce's programme to reduce the so-called `Disruption Index', a measure of the cost of supporting an engine.
The software has had a significant impact on the business performance and consequent economic achievement of Rolls-Royce, a global company supporting civil and defence aerospace, marine and energy markets worldwide.
Research carried out at the University of Southampton has enabled major players in the aerospace industry — among them Rolls-Royce, Airbus, and Boeing — to produce more fuel efficient, longer lasting engines and aircraft at reduced cost. The research has provided the aerospace industry with modelling tools and software enabling companies to explore complex new designs quickly whilst managing product risk in a competitive market. The research team has also developed new design processes for unmanned aircraft, which — as a result of strong media interest - improved public understanding of such new technologies through worldwide coverage. A spin-out company has achieved strong technological and economic impacts in its own right.
Research work in the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering (DoEng) created a formal methodology for eco-design, based on lifecycle thinking that can be implemented during product design. This methodology and supporting reference data have been commercialised by DoEng spin-off company, Granta Design Limited, within Granta's software solutions: for engineering and product design in industry, integrating with the CAD environment; and for materials education. These products are incorporated in software suites that have over 200,000 users. Industry case studies demonstrate their value to end customers.
University of Huddersfield research into knowledge engineering, domain modelling and machine learning has raised professional, industry and policymaker awareness of novel ways of designing more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable management networks. This is particularly the case in the field of transportation, where recognition of such techniques has significantly increased among stakeholders throughout the UK and across Europe. The research has been credited with informing a "step-change in thinking" and is now central to the £16m EPSRC Autonomous and Intelligent Systems Programme, which has attracted more than £4m in financial and in-kind support from hi-tech industries.
The Technology Management Group (TMG) in the Department of Space and Climate Physics (also known as the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, or MSSL) at UCL has developed a range of professional training courses for industry that promote a forward-looking approach to the management of technology projects. Industrial customers have invested almost £2.4 million on the training within the REF impact period, greatly valuing its impact in helping their staff deal with the challenges of modern, complex projects, such as achieving high reliability in network-enabled systems that need to perform in the harshest environments. The training has improved engineering capability and organisational effectiveness for its customers, helping them to deliver excellent performance — to budget, on time and with the quality and functionality required. The TMG has also contributed to a systems engineering competency framework that is being used worldwide in the professional certification of systems engineers.
Key findings from Dr Zhang's research at Birmingham Business School into global engineering networks (GEN) have been adopted by some of the largest manufacturing firms in the UK, leading to measureable improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of their engineering functions. The programme of research combines engineering, technology and process management and wider insights from organisation studies to develop decision-making tools for firms. One important route for disseminating GEN research findings to industrial audiences has been the High Performance Engineering Forum; member companies of the Forum have achieved tangible benefits from application of the approach including reduced engineering expenses, improved communication, support for novel working approaches and the introduction of innovative business initiatives. Users cite the benefits of these tools in support of the formation and implementation of global engineering strategies and improved communication between operations at different stages of the engineering value chain. There is also evidence of wider impact in terms of the increased awareness of the need to combine engineering and technology-related expertise with innovation management capabilities and knowledge of the changing international landscape. The research focuses on emerging competitors, growing markets and potential collaborations, particularly in, from, or with China. These have significant implications for current manufacturing business models in the UK. The GEN framework has also been adopted as an essential input for the Excellence Engineering Education System in China co-developed by the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Cambridge University and Tsinghua University, and intended to provide a novel framework for Chinese engineering education.