Research & Development Request

United Kingdom

A UK-based university is submitting a proposal to Horizon 2020 call topic FOF-07-2017: Integration of unconventional technologies for multi-material processing into manufacturing systems. The project will develop and incorporate laser technology into multi-material product manufacturing to reduce costs and production time. The university seeks SMEs working in multi-material manufacturing and factories of the future space to join the consortium. The partnerships will be research collaborations.

The production of differentiated and high added value products efficiently and sustainably is important for the competitiveness of European manufacturing. Often such products are multi-material and require as high product quality adding a level of complexity to manufacturing that has to be squared with minimised time to market and reduced production costs.

The incorporation of laser technology into the manufacturing processes for multi-material products has the potential to reduce production time, production costs as well as reducing wastage in both materials and energy. However there are several barriers to the incorporation of laser technology that need to be overcome, such as the lack of standardisation with regard to surface modifications, long process cycles, lack of automation and the perception of lasers as a ‘dark art'.

A UK-based university is proposing a project that aims to overcome these barriers and incorporate laser technology into multi-material product manufacturing. This project aims to develop laser technologies for carbon fiber (CFRP) / metal processing, develop and utilise process monitoring and real time Non-destructive testing (NDT) for multi-materials, develop ‘cloud manufacturing' for hybrid structures as well as laser engineering concepts for hybrid structures and flexible automation with associated inspection and control processes. The university is proposing this project to the Horizon 2020 call topic FOF-07-2017: Integration of unconventional technologies for multi-material processing into manufacturing systems and are looking for SMEs to join the consortium.

They are looking for SMEs working in the Factories of the Future field with experience of working in the multi-material processing as well as cloud infrastructure and metrology. Expressions of interest from SMEs in the following areas are especially welcome:
1. End user in the aerospace sector with a strong composite focus
2. End user in the automotive sector with a strong composite focus
3. End user in the marine sector with a strong composite focus
4. A systems integrator that will build the demonstrator (modular design concept)
5. Cyber Security Company protecting the control of the system in the cloud.
6. Inline non destructive testing and sensor process control of the demonstrator (Micro Epsilon)
7. A company involved in simulation of the manufacturing cycle focusing on hybrid structures and developing new manufacturing system. (composite/ metals)

The partnerships will take the form of a research collaboration agreement.

Deadline for EOIs: 02 December 2016
Call deadline: 19 January 2017

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