Universities
A research-led UK university with over 20,000 registered students, approximately 2000 academic and research staff and an annual income of over €500 million, it is one of the leading research Universities in the UK. All Departments in the Faculty of Engineering were classed as 5 or 5* in the last research assessment exercise (RAE). The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is a department in its own right and has expertise in machining and work holding including active fixture design and dynamic analysis and harmonisation of the spindle, tool holder, tool, component and work holding system. Research in advanced manufacturing exceeds £20 million and the AMRC is partnered with many of the major aerospace companies in the world. It has internationally acknowledged research in developing innovative and advanced technology solutions for materials forming and metalworking and in the field of composite materials. The AMRC will participate in the development of total assembly/fixturing solution development.
University of Nottingham (UN)
The University of Nottingham is a research-led UK university with over 27,000 registered students, around 1,830 academic and research staff and an annual income of over 280 million pounds, including research awards of around 90 million pounds. The School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering M3 has a long history of successful research collaboration with industry, resulting in the award of University Technology Centre status by Rolls-Royce, UK. In addition, the School was recently awarded the status of Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC). The Precision Manufacturing Group has a significant experience in different aspects of precision machining and assembly, with a number of current and recent research projects related to the scope of the AFFIX project including EU FP5 MMFSC (Modeling and Manufacture of Fabricated Structured Components), FP6 VERDI, Eureka Factory E-RACE (E-Space for Design of Reconfigurable Assembly Cells) FP6 IP EUPASS (Evolvable Ultra Precision Assembly Systems) and others.
Wroclaw University of Technology (WUT)
One of the leading universities in Poland: 12 faculties , over 32.000 students, around 4100 staff; 1293 research projects, 44 research projects 5 and 6 FP, budget – 1 969 527 euro in 2004; The Institute of Production Engineering and Automation comes in composition Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The Institute comprises eight divisions and four laboratories. Research activities of the Institute are concentrated around four principal processes of production engineering: casting, welding, deformation forming and material removal, together with machines, equipment and organizational environment for carrying out these processes, assembly processes.
The Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of Aachen University of Technology (RWTH)
Founded in 1906 and one of the largest and most productive university institutes of its kind in Europe. With over 580 employees, the institute carries out both basic and applied research projects directly addressing the needs of industry, finding practical solutions for more modern and efficient production. The WZL consists of four departments of which one is the Chair of Manufacturing Technologies. Within the Chair of Manufacturing Technology intensive scientific work was carried out and main focuses are set on the following research topics:
- machining, grinding, metal forming, process chain design, FEA simulation of work pieces and
- processes, process and product monitoring and related topics.
University West (HV)
Having for a number of years concentrated on undergraduate education, HV has now initiated a programme fully committed to research and development. The research projects are to have a high degree of applicability. The research profile for HV is focused upon four areas: Work Integrated Learning, Health and Handicaps, Media Production and Sustainable Processes in Manufacturing Industry. Within this last focus area the main effort is laid on the largely unexplored field of integrating Modeling, Simulation and Process Control. These research activities are highly interdisciplinary, and the main strength of the group of 25 researchers and postgraduate students is on combining the fields of Applied Mathematics, Production Technology, Materials Science and Mechatronics. HV will participate within active fixturing and the expected results from this project are increased knowledge in the use of coordinating robots in automation and a stronger foundation in industrially related automation issues.
Research Institutes
Centro-Ricerche Fiat (CRF)
CRF is a consortium whose shares are owned by the Fiat Group parent company and the automotive sectors, Fiat Automobile, Iveco(trucks) and other Fiat companies. CRF is staffed by 850 specialists involved in advanced inter-disciplinary applied research of medium and long-term projects regarding vehicles, engines, automotive electronic systems and process/materials applications. CRF plays an essential role in monitoring high technology developments through its involvement with companies and universities as well as national and international research organisations. Considerable effort is devoted to innovative methodology for perfecting new methods of improving products, processes, quality and reliability.
FATRONIK
A private research centre, providing research and development services to the industry. Since 1989, FATRONIK improves existing products and devises new solutions for its customers, most of them SMEs from the machine-tool sector. FATRONIK focuses its activity in the field of conception, analysis, simulation and design of advanced production and automation systems and devices where both mechanical and control aspects are of great importance. FATRONIK may be considered as reference in the field of R&D for production systems. In fact, it is coordinating the 6th FrameResearch direction Integrated Project called NEXT: Next Generation Production Systems, which will start by September 2005.
FATRONIK expects to obtain from AFFIX novel concepts and technologies for intelligent adaptive reconfigurable assembly systems, including fixtures, processing modules and manipulators, for precision assembly of high value components. These assembly systems will be patentable. Therefore one way that FATRONIK envisages exploiting these results is by licensing the technology to production and assembly equipment manufacturers. Another possibility to use these results by FATRONIK will be to obtain contracts from production and assembly equipment manufacturers or directly from assembly systems users for developing the engineering of these systems based on the concepts and technologies developed in the project.
The Fraunhofer Institut für Werkzeugmaschinen und Umformtechnik (IWU)
Fraunhofer IWU is a partner in research and development in the field of production technology for the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors. A main focus of its work includes the development of intelligent production systems for the manufacturing of car bodies and powertrain components, as well as the optimization of their related forming and cutting manufacturing processes. Fraunhofer IWU creates innovative solutions for continuous process chains, from the components, to assembly units, all the way up to complex machine systems and completely new kinematics. Lightweight structures and the use of new materials are also playing an ever greater role.
Large companies
Rolls-Royce
A world leader in power systems, operating in four global markets: civil aerospace, military aerospace, marine and energy. The company designs, manufactures and supports a comprehensive range of products and services based on its gas turbine technology for air, sea and land applications. Its core gas turbine technology has created one of the broadest product ranges of aero-engines in the world. The success of this product range is demonstrated by the company’s rapid and substantial gains in market share over recent years; annual sales total nearly €9 billion, of which 55 per cent are services revenues and the current order book value is in excess of €30 billion. Rolls-Royce employs around 38,000 people worldwide, including 23,500 in UK and 5,000 in the rest of Europe and relies on a complex network of European developers & suppliers. Rolls-Royce is the only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to provide a one engine family for all new generation wide body aircraft and is the sole engine supplier for the A340-500/600 (powered by the Trent500) and lead engine supplier for the A380 (powered by the Trent900). RR-UK is also one of four European aerospace companies that comprise Eurojet, maker of the twin-engined Typhoon’s EJ200 powerplant. RR-UK’s commitment to meeting the ACARE (Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe) goals is reflected in its lead role in the ANTLE (Affordable Near Term Low Emissions) programme, which will deliver a range of new aerospace technologies for commercial use in 2008.
Rolls-Royce has identified assembly systems as a key area where improved design, innovation, reconfigurability and technology will have major impact on productivity. RR-UK’s prime interest is in the assembly of complex components (discs, drums, intercases, combustion cases, shafts, etc) rather than whole engine assembly.
Rolls Royce Deutschland
Prime interest is in the replacement of high inventory stocks of component-specific tooling with rapidly reconfigurable, intelligent tooling. Current assembly requires the use of numerous product-specific fixtures resulting in long lead-times, process complexity, increased likelihood of error and high levels of inventory. An additional goal is to achieve high levels of reusability of assembly equipment and new forms of assembly component supply to minimise assembly costs. RRDE is a separate entity from RRUK and will concentrate on smaller items of equipment.
ELECTROLUX
Electrolux Home Products Italy S.p.A., located in Porcia (Pordenone-I), is leader in the field of HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES production.It is indirectly controlled by the Swedish AB Electrolux, the world’s leading supplier of consumer durables and professional products for indoor and outdoor use.
The EHP Italy’s strategy is mainly focused to achieving cost-saving via development of new and innovative products for the entire Electrolux Group.
One of the most important targets is to increase investments in products with lower environmental impact, in order to be a part of a sustainable society.
For these reasons the company is steadily involved in R&D Projects (European National and Local) referred to new products, materials, manufacturing and design technologies for household appliances sector.
Costs for Research and Development in 2004 amounted to about Euro 53 million, corresponding to 3,8 % of net sales.
AVIO S.p.A (AVIO)
AVIO is a leading aerospace Company. Presently, AVIO has four major lines of business:
- Modules and components for military and civil aircraft and helicopter propulsion systems;
- MR&O and Services for military and civil aircraft and helicopter propulsion systems;
- Space propulsion and tactical propulsion systems;
- Jet Derivative engines and Automation system for naval and industrial applications.
In the field of Civil Aircraft, AVIO products engine components for the most important engine manufacturers. In the Military Sector, in addition to developing and supplying components, AVIO assembles, tests, certifies and delivers propulsion systems to the national Armed Forces, for which it also supplies after-sales support. In the Aerospace sector, AVIO is a leader in the design and production of solid and liquid propellant engines, which are used by the Ariane launchers and will also equip Ariane 5 Evolution.
To consolidate its position even further and strengthen its role in the sector, AVIO invests in Research and Development programmes, also through an organised network of collaboration with a number of Italian universities and research centres. This allows AVIO to possess top-level resources and expertise in the disciplines of interest to the company.
Volvo Aero Corporation (VAC)
VAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of AB Volvo. The five business areas of the company are: Military Engines that develop, manufacture and service engines. Aerospace Components that develop and manufacture engine components with specialisation within structural aero-engine components. Engine Services which maintains aircraft engines of all sizes, from large turbofans to helicopter turbo shaft engines. Aviation Support Services which is engaged in the maintenance and leasing of aircraft engines and aircraft, and spare parts trading. Land and Marine Gas Turbines develops and services gas turbines for propulsion and power generation. VAC is looking at fixturing systems that could aid or facilitate the manufacturing process (For example, an active fixturing that senses, applies force or provides other forms of aid to welding). We would also look at a system that is flexible and thereby lowers the set up time when changing components. The goal is to find systems that will give the possibility of both lowering cost and lead-time while supporting automation.
EADS
EADS is the largest aerospace company in Europe and the second largest worldwide, active in the fields of civil and military aircraft, space, defence systems and services. EADS has secured an excellent market position in all areas of the aerospace and defence industry. The company is a market leader in civil aeronautics, defence technology, helicopters, space, missiles, military transport and combat aircraft and the associated services. The EADS Group includes the commercial aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the space company Astrium. The Corporate Research Centre of EADS (CRC), with sites in Germany and France, provides world-class research capabilities in main aeronautics research topics such as materials, processes, structure engineering, systems environment and information technologies for engineering. EADS CCR is the French part of the Corporate Research Centre of EADS (CRC) and is, as such, usually denominated as "EADS CRC-F". EADS CCR has a permanent staff of 320 people, 60% of which are senior scientists. Its objective is to carry out research activities which require a concentration of skills and equipment and which correspond to cross-Business Units interest in the following technical fields:
- Materials, manufacturing processes ,
- Structures engineering,
- Systems (including lightning protection, electromagnetic compatibility, optics and lasers),
- High performance scientific computing
- Information technology for product and process engineering.
The Structure and Production pole of EADS CCR which will be involved in AFFIX has a long experience in innovative processes with automation and in Information Technologies for product and process engineering.
The interests of EADS in AFFIX project are :
- Assessment of level of automation reachable in aircraft assembly. Level of automation should be improved for a lot of repetitive tasks. Aerospace industry has a significant need of smart and automated tools to reduce manufacturing cycle and costs.
- Relevant assembly modeling to simulate complex assembly. System installation (pipe, electric wires) is a challenging process to improve due to its complexity. The picture illustrates the level of system installed insides aircraft structures. These systems are very numerous, placed in closed areas, and with complex geometries. Moreover, these systems are flexible and difficult to handle due to their complex shape.
Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Ce.S.I
Ce.S.I. is an high specialised engineering company (Italian SME) that operates mainly in mechanical engineering field.
Ce.S.I. is involved in mechanical design, CAE/FEM structural analysis, kinematic analysis, research and innovation activities for machinery, aeronautics and automotive markets.
The company is specialised in development of innovative products from the point of view of high performances as well as modularity, flexibility, innovative material application and quality. Ce.S.I. has assumed a key role at international level in defining and designing different kind of systems like: high performances multi-axis modules for aerospace/automotive component machining; high speed milling machines;turning machining centers; 5-axis laser cutting machines; grinding machines; robotics and automation; composite structures design and analysis; precision mechanic systems. Ce.S.I. is participating in several European and national R&D projects and can bring to the project its wide experience in design and analysis of machines, especially bringing it its know-how in the field of new high efficiency machine tools, new machining strategies and processes, and numerical/experimental methodologies to evaluate cost effectiveness and performances of systems.
DIAD
DIAD is a privately owned Italian SME company with headquarters and collection and production facilities in Buttigliera Alta in province of Turin, Italy. The company was born in 1987 starting from the collection and treatment of exhausted alimentary oils, in virtue of the sensitivity of the founder partners towards the environmental problems and the good quality guarantee of the human feeding.
The research department of the company is very active towards all those themes aiming to the development of ecological technologies..
Demand is such born of the pursued research lines, shown afterwards:
- identifying of eco- technologies
- quality control on the by-products obtained and/or products of recovery and
regeneration
- marketing of such products (market analysis)
- customer satisfaction
The company has technical European graduates with interdisciplinary expertise and a well-established experience in activity of partnership and collaboration on projects.
The company has strong collaboration with research centers, universities and high tech industries in Europe and all over the world, so it can count on a well trained network of collaborations and integrated competencies.
ETN Aviation GmbH
ETN produces fixtures, toolings and services for a wide range of processes and aeroengine components. It is a major design partner and supplier of fixtures and tooling for Rolls-Royce Deutschland, supplying fixtures e.g. for machining of disks, drums, casings and rings & seals components, successfully used in various fields of production. Prime interest is in the design and manufacturing capability of precision fixtures and tooling systems, in particular aircraft engine tooling. ETN is an approved Vendor for Airbus Industries A330/A340. Facilities comprise a modern machine and inspection area with highly skilled and experienced operators and engineers.
METEC
METEC is a privately owned Italian SME high tech company actively involved in Service Engineering, Research, Development and Design activities in the field of Material Sciences and Computing, with headquarter in Turin, Italy. Its business strategy / core business activities are Research, Development and Design activities in the fields of innovative materials and surface treatments for tools, tooling, dies, moulds and mechanical parts, administrative coordination of National and European RTD projects.
METEC will assist the coordinator for the administrative questions. In close collaboration with US, Metec will be responsible for implementing the tasks related to the administrative, legal and contractual coordination activities. US and METEC will be in charge of the overall coordination of legal and contractual aspects related to either contract amendments or partners legal status. Metec will be responsible for gathering the necessary information in case of a contract amendment or of a change of partner’s legal status as well as in case of any change arising in the consortium. METEC will advise US to take the necessary measures to ensure the appropriate use of EC grant between the participants by providing a time schedule for transferring the amounts allocated by the EC. The work will be done in collaboration with all partners and via Quality procedures & Quality Control set.
