Citation
(2009), "Regional training centre", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781cab.021
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Regional training centre
Article Type: University and research news From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 3
The University of Greenwich at Medway is launching a regional training centre with Renishaw, the manufacturer of precision engineering tools, to showcase machinery and manufacturing systems which will make businesses more productive.
The university’s School of Engineering will run two-day courses at the centre, developed by Renishaw to help manufacturing companies increase automation and improve quality.
Engineering Professor Alan Reed says: “We estimate that manufacturing industry in the region stands to gain up to £50 million from increases in productivity. This is a timely initiative from Renishaw which fits in well with the services the university provides business.”
“In particular, it expands our portfolio of services for manufacturing businesses which includes rapid prototyping, product development, electronics manufacturing, powder and solids processing and handling, engineering management and IT.”
Renishaw’s UK General Manager Marc Saunders says: “Globalisation is putting pressure on UK manufacturers to streamline and automate their processes, at a time when engineering skills are in short supply. This centre is part of a national initiative by Renishaw to offer training in contemporary best practice to companies of all sizes, from SMEs right up to aerospace companies.”
He adds: “The University of Greenwich has the expertise and facilities to deliver the training and match it to the needs of each business. Participants will leave with an action plan to implement process improvements in their own factories.”
The course material is based on Renishaw’s own experiences of developing highly efficient machining processes which enabled it to keep the majority of its manufacturing base in the UK. The company produces over 5,000 different precision components at its Stonehouse, Gloucestershire facility, with an output of over four million parts per year, machined to aerospace tolerances, yet with an exceptional level of automation.
The School of Engineering at the university has been a centre of teaching excellence in the region for over a 100 years. It has benefited from significant investment since moving to the Medway campus ten years ago and brings computer and communications, civil, electronic and mechanical engineering, product design and engineering management under one roof.