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18 - Feature Recognition for Smart Design and Manufacture

Summary of the impact

In 1997 ERPE invented a novel automatic machining feature recognition technology which has been incorporated into the Pathtrace EdgeCAM Solid Machinist Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) package, now owned by Planit plc. EdgeCAM is considered as one of the leading independent solid machinist CAM package, with 10 - 15% of the world market. Related ERPE feature recognition in shape representation and characterisation has enabled the design of a 3D shape browser for product data management systems. Commercialised in 2005 as ShapeSpace with £0.7M current market value, for application to the parts industry in automotive markets, it has attracted the US Actify Inc., as an equity sharing partner to aid ShapeSpace to access worldwide markets.

Submitting Institutions

Heriot-Watt University,University of Edinburgh

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Computation Theory and Mathematics, Information Systems

Improved efficiency and design practice in European maritime industry

Summary of the impact

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.

Submitting Institution

University of Strathclyde

Unit of Assessment

Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Information Systems
Built Environment and Design: Design Practice and Management

6. Design research for healthcare service delivery improvement

Summary of the impact

Through the introduction of innovative design approaches, processes tools and methods into the research of complex healthcare issues, a range of individuals — including members of professional groups, e.g., in nutrition management and physical rehabilitation, clinical trials managers, healthcare professionals and patients (involved, e.g., in random controlled trials), are now able to consider and use tools and approaches that they did not use previously. These, policy-makers, leads in research councils, charities, and members of lay user representative groups have seen, through demonstrations, national and international presentations and professional publications, advantages of these innovative tools and approaches that enable more patient-centred treatment and enhanced patient-professional relationships.

Submitting Institution

Glasgow School of Art

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services

The user- centred management of innovation in two SMEs

Summary of the impact

Green and Lilley's research on the management of innovation within creative organisations, with a specific focus on people-centred and socio-technical systems design of digital technology, has benefitted two companies significantly through two knowledge-transfer partnerships. One company — Bulb - more than doubled its staff numbers from 8 to 18 and increased turnover from £700,000 to £1.2 million. This research contributed to the basis for a new company — CrowdLab - now worth £1.5 million. Both companies have been short-listed for a number of awards, one recently winning the 2013 Leicester Mercury Innovative Company category. The School has embraced the University's Knowledge Exchange provision to respond effectively to the Government's economic development agenda which has placed HEIs `centre stage' to deliver private-sector led innovation and economic recovery.

Submitting Institution

University of Leicester

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services: Business and Management

Granta Design

Summary of the impact

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.

Submitting Institution

University of Cambridge

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Economic

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems
Economics: Applied Economics

Integrating human factors into health design

Summary of the impact

This case study highlights research excellence in health design by a Group of four multi-disciplinary researchers. Collectively the Group of researchers apply user-centred approaches to design and evaluation of products and services which improve health and wellbeing. The Group employs user-engagement throughout the design lifecycle to achieve societal benefits through improved products, information, services, and systems. The research has delivered:

  • Economic Impact: by working with companies and organisations to deliver new products for the growing market in assistive technologies and services which support health and lifestyle improvements
  • Health Impacts: by improving health and quality of life for those with specific conditions and disabilities. This includes working with medical practitioners to translate ideas into products.
  • Impact on User Engagement in Policy Making: by addressing the challenges of collecting the needs and views of hard-to-reach groups and by using their techniques to develop Europe-wide guidelines for telehealth care services.

Beneficiaries include end-users of assistive technology, patients with long-term conditions and their carers, medical practitioners, policy makers and commercial organisations.

Submitting Institution

Coventry University

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services
Education: Specialist Studies In Education

Interactive architectural innovation in practice, products and business formation

Summary of the impact

Gage's research in interactive architecture since the 1990s has influenced the working methods of a sizeable community of SME architectural and environmental design practices, mainly in London, and in some cases significantly extended the scope of their services. The research has established and strengthened innovative exchange between academia, professions and creative industries and led to the creation of a number of new specialist and award-winning design companies with international profiles. One of these developed intellectual property sold in 2011 for over $15m, while another won a RIBA National Award for design excellence in collaboration with Bartlett staff.

Submitting Institution

University College London

Unit of Assessment

Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Built Environment and Design: Architecture, Building, Design Practice and Management

Design Bugs Out (DBO) commode

Summary of the impact

"We've currently made a 40 per cent reduction on last year's infection figures ... the commode is definitely part of that", said an Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Nurse Specialist for Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust. The commode referred is the result of a joint effort between Brunel University, Kirton Healthcare and PearsonLloyd, in responding to the Design Council's `Design Bugs Out' competition. Designed for thorough cleaning, easy maintenance, and patient dignity, the commode has been widely exhibited in the UK and Europe, and was shortlisted for the BRIT Best Design of the Year (2009) award. Now over 2,000 have been sold to more than 60 hospitals in the UK.

Submitting Institution

Brunel University

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Nursing, Public Health and Health Services
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services: Business and Management

Making sense of complex data through innovations in visualisation

Summary of the impact

New visualisation approaches have been used to turn complex data into actionable knowledge by:

  • The Ministry of Defence to establish analytical possibilities for security critical data analysis
  • Transport for London (TfL) to manage and extend London's successful Cycle Hire Scheme
  • E.ON to interpret data produced through their modelling and in their Smart Home trial, with a view to understanding electricity consumption and reducing production
  • Leicestershire County Council (LCC) to develop an evidence base for a sustainable transport plan; record and analyse the locations of locally valued green spaces; capture local knowledge about flooding events; monitor performance of children's centres; present the results of a survey on service quality and accessibility to citizens; undertake a £100M budget consultation and embed data in decision-making processes to inform policy
  • Willis to understand and assess windstorm risk, communicate the complexity of risk to clients and manage risk across their global offices through a new software system.

These applications of new visualisation methods have had impact on the environment, economy, defence and security, society and public debate. In each case users of our methods report on their positive impact as we help them identify visualisation possibilities, understand their data and use this knowledge to inform their activity. In many cases our work has resulted in important insights, improved exploitation of data and further investment in visualisation with organisational implications in terms of using data for intelligence.

Submitting Institution

City University, London

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Computer Software, Information Systems

Increased efficiency in turbomachinery design, manufacturing and performance using 3D inverse design software

Summary of the impact

The development of a novel 3D inverse design method for turbomachinery aerodynamic design at UCL has led to important design breakthroughs for pump and compressor applications. The resulting IP and software has been commercialised by a UCL spinout company Advanced Design Technology Ltd (ADT), which is now considered a global leader in advanced turbomachinery design software. Since 2008, the 3D inverse design codes embedded within ADT's TURBOdesign™ suite of software have been adopted by many of the leading turbomachinery equipment manufacturers in Europe, Japan and the US. These companies are using the TURBOdesign suite to achieve significant improvements in the time taken to design their turbomachinery components. It has also helped them unlock major efficiency gains and hence achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions. [text removed for publication]

Submitting Institution

University College London

Unit of Assessment

Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Interdisciplinary Engineering

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