College of Science & Engineering

Digital Manufacturing

Our research expertise in areas such as autonomous systems, imaging, big data analytics, cyber-security, cloud-based and intelligent manufacturing informatics, virtual prototyping, safety-critical software tools, human centred security, social robotics and social signal processing will play a key role in addressing challenges associated with intelligent “factories of the future”.

These challenges include managing complex data from the Internet Of Things, enabling optimisation and automation of the design process and the manufacturing value chain; ensuring seamless control and connectivity of manufacturing systems, cyber-physical production systems, supply chains and preventing industrial cyber-security threats.  

SMART Manufacturing (New Industrial Systems/21^st Century products)

A range of mass customisation and additive manufacturing techniques and modelling have been developed and utilised within the University. Merging Computer-Automated Design, analysis and validation technologies for efficient intelligent design, prototyping, these are directed toward applications such as affordable robotics and prosthetics, flexible and printable, microfluidic devices and implants, airframe and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle design, and bespoke chemical reactors for multistep organic synthesis, virtual prototyping for smart manufacturing.

Projects:

EP/I033459/1     EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing for Continuous Manufacturing and Crystalisation  

EP/M002527/1   Engineering Fellowship for Growth Printable Tactile Skin

EP/M002519/1   Flexible Electronic Device Modelling

EP/P001246/1   Network Plus: Industrial Systems in the Digital Age. 

This Network Plus is jointly led by the Universities of Nottingham, Newcastle and Glasgow, bringing together key colleagues from the Manufacturing, Digital Economy, Design, Human Factors and Business communities to build new collaborations between leading academics and industry partners.

It will:

• Identify relevant elements from these existing activities to conduct international benchmarking and establish the UK lead in specific elements of relevance to Future Industrial Systems in the Digital Age;
• Enhance cross-sectorial learning and fertilisation; and
• Identify new, discipline-bridging, agenda-setting opportunities for feasibility studies leading to scientific insight and future platforms and funding applications from national and international funders.

The Network Plus is currently developing a set of thematic areas, including:

•        Industrial Internet of Things                          

•        Data analytics and decision making

•        People and automation

•        Design for future manufacturing

£600,000 of this Network Plus project has been allocated to funding a series of feasibility studies.  The key dates are: