Cranfield to Collaborate in Development of Laser-Based Manufacturing Processes

Cranfield will be collaborating in a newly announced UK Centre which will be looking at innovative ways of using lasers in UK manufacturing, to replace 'conventional' tools.

The Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Laser-based Production Processes, led by Heriot-Watt University, is supported by £5.6m of funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and £4.8m from the UK manufacturing industry. This is the sixth centre for Innovative Manufacturing that Cranfield is involved with, reinforcing the University’s impressive reputation in manufacturing research.

The Centre will develop new laser-based processes using a wide range of materials and combinations of materials, as well as exploring different existing laser-based production processes and technologies to increase productivity, functionality and quality.

The Centre's team of leading academics and UK industry partners will run an extensive programme of co-ordinated research and network-building which will enable significant business growth opportunities, stimulate the broader UK community, provide leadership in developing UK public policy, infrastructure access for SMEs, and education and training for the industry.

Professor Stewart Williams, Head of Cranfield’s Welding Engineering and Laser Processing Centre, said: “The Centre will allow a rigorous scientific approach to be combined with innovative thinking to develop unique solutions to joining problems with, and for industrial partners.

“Cranfield will have a substantial role in the new EPSRC Centre focusing on the fundamentals of laser-based production processes, particularly those related to metal fusion such as welding and additive manufacture.”