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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/I033513/1
Title: EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites
Principal Investigator: Long, Professor A
Other Investigators:
Wisnom, Professor M Potluri, Professor P Potter, Professor K
Eichhorn, Professor S Skordos, Dr AA Johnson, Dr MS
Pickering, Professor SJ Warrior, Professor NA Mills, Mr AR
Soutis, Professor C Hallett, Professor SR Schubel, Professor P
Partridge, Professor IK
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Airbus Operations Limited Bentley Motors Ltd Caparo Vehicle Technologies Ltd
GKN Aerospace (Melrose) Lotus Cars Ltd Luxfer Gas Cylinders Ltd
Rolls-Royce Plc (UK) Vestas
Department: Faculty of Engineering
Organisation: University of Nottingham
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 01 July 2011 Ends: 31 December 2016 Value (£): 5,866,584
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Manufacturing Machine & Plant Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
17 Feb 2011 EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing Panel A Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The EPSRC Innovative Manufacturing Centre in Composites will conduct a programme of fundamental manufacturing research comprising two research themes aimed at developing efficient, high rate, low cost and sustainable manufacturing processes coupled to effective and validated design and process modelling tools. These processes will aim to deliver high yield, high performance and high quality components and structures. The themes are as follows:Theme 1: Composites Processing ScienceThe focus for this theme is to develop integrated modelling systems for predicting and minimising process induced defects and defining and optimising process capability. Topics include: Multi-scale process modelling framework for candidate processes (fibre deposition, resin infusion, consolidation and cure); Stochastic simulation of process and resulting material/structure variability, leading to prediction of process induced defects at the macro, meso and micro scales; Analysis of design/ manufacturing/ cost interactions, enabling process capability mapping, design and process optimisationTheme 2: Composites Processing TechnologyThe focus for this theme will be experimental investigation of next-generation, high rate processing technologies as essential elements within a flexible composites manufacturing cell with multi-process capability. Topics include: Development of rapid deposition technologies: automated robotic control for tow/tape placement, development of flexible/ hybrid systems, application to dry fibre and thermoplastic composites manufacture; High speed preforming processes: fibre placement, Discontinuous Carbon Fibre Preforming (DCFP), multiaxial and 3D textiles and their automated integration into multi-architecture, multi-functional composites; High rate & controlled thermal processing: rapid heating/curing and innovative tooling; Process and parts integration with novel joining technologies, tolerance reduction and on-line inspection In addition to the main research themes, the platform element within the Centre will support four generic research projects operating across the Centre to develop common technologies and underpin the main research priorities. These technology areas are: Multi-scale modelling; Cost modelling; Automation/robotics; and, Design and manufacturing quality integration.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
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Project URL: www.epsrc-cimc.ac.uk
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk