Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/M22468/01
Title:	IMI ROBOTIC WELDING
Principal Investigator:	Nethercot, Professor D
Other Investigators:	Tizani, Dr W
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	CSC Maunsell Ltd Pipeline Induction Heat Ltd Pre Nexus Migration Tata Steel Limited Technical Software Consultants Ltd
Department:	Sch of Civil Engineering
Organisation:	University of Nottingham
Scheme:	LINK
Starts:	01 September 1998	Ends:	30 November 2000	Value (£):	101,847
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Civil Engineering Materials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Tubular space frames are highly efficient systems from the structural point of view. They also provide overall cost-effective solutions. Often this form can achieve half the weight of an alternative conventional steel structure. A major portion of the cost is dependent on the connections, mainly the welding activity, and on achieving a steamline process by which the parts of the structure can be fabricated and assembled ensuring the adequate fitting of the structure in view of the tight tolerances required for automated welding, the 3D saddling of circular tubes and the compensation for distortions.The research programme will investigate the whole business process in the design, pre-fabrication, part and full assembly, jigging, welding and inspection of tubular space frame structures. In parallel, state of the art inspection and welding techniques, the use of which has until now been restricted to the offshore industry, will be adapted to achieve fully automated welding and non-destructive examination on or off-site of nodal joints of space frame structures.This will be achieved through the development of robotic equipment capable of delivering the above and a business process that facilitates this and takes into account the practical applications of the fabrication and erection processes.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.nottingham.ac.uk