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AFRC and AMRC visualise augmented reality future for construction industry
The construction sector could be on the verge of a virtual revolution, thanks to new augmented and virtual reality technology.
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AFRC targets oil and gas and automotive with new flow former
The AFRC has made a seven-figure investment in a bespoke forming machine, which will extend and enhance its capabilities in a range of sectors.
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Virtual reality brings energy challenges to life on huge 3D power wall at ITF Technology Showcase
Delegates can experience the AFRC's wholly immersive and interactive 3D visualisation system.
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Mountain bike pioneer visits the AFRC
Gary Fisher, regarded globally as the inventor of the modern day mountain bike, visited the AFRC.
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AFRC joins Safran Landing Systems in consortium to produce cheaper titanium for aerospace industry
FASTForge aims to cut cost to a third of current price.
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AFRC forms three-year partnership with international machine manufacturing firm
German-based machining company WF-Maschinenbau has renewed its membership agreement with the Advanced Forming Research Centre.
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AFRC expands inventory with receipt of new equipment
The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) has significantly expanded its capabilities following the arrival of four state-of-the-art pieces of equipment.
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AFRC forms new partnership with Japanese manufacturing giant
Mitsubishi Materials Group, one of the world’s leading cutting tools suppliers, has signed up to be the latest member of the Advanced Forming Research Centre.
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World-renowned expert appointed to lead the AFRC
An internationally-renowned technology expert is to lead the University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre.
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AFRC strengthens its partnership with SMAS
The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) is pleased to announce that it will be sponsoring this year’s Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) conference.
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AFRC director joins ADMS industry leadership group
The AFRC is proud to announce that Michael Ward, technical director at AFRC, is now a member of Scotland's Aerospace Defence and Marine and Security (ADMS).
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First project on the DMG Mori 5 axis mill turn machine
The machining team at the AFRC has completed its first project using the DMG Mori 5 axis mill turn machine.
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AFRC event inspires young engineers
Young engineers of the future from primary schools around Renfrewshire recently attended a Primary Engineer Celebration Event at the AFRC.
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AFRC Supports AIMaReM Research
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The Advanced Forming Research Centre is supporting a new collaborative research project in autonomous inspection in manufacturing and remanufacturing (AIMaReM).
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AFRC Hosts HVM Catapult CTO Forum
The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) recently hosted a forum for High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult Chief Technology Officers.
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Ayrshire children name the AFRC robots
In a bid to inspire the next generation of engineers The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) together with Spirit AeroSystems held a competition to name three of the centre’s Kuka robots.
News
AFRC and ATI forge partnership to boost aerospace materials innovation
The AFRC has welcomed its 100th member with international aerospace leader ATI Inc. (NYSE: ATI) joining the AFRC as a Tier One Member, marking the beginning of a collaboration in advanced engineering and materials science that will support sustainable air travel.
9 Oct 2024
AFRC achieves world-class accreditation for mechanical testing
The AFRC has added another internationally recognised accreditation to its name, having attained ISO 17025 for its mechanical testing laboratory.
29 Jul 2024
Hybrid approach to titanium manufacturing boosts UK aerospace opportunity
A new hybrid manufacturing method could boost capability in the UK and increase manufacturing efficiency for key aerospace components, which could in future be used by global manufacturers for the production of aircraft.
18 Apr 2024
Pioneering forging research hub puts Scotland at the forefront of advanced engineering
Scotland’s reputation as a beacon of manufacturing and engineering innovation has been cemented today (21st March) with the launch of the world’s most pioneering, industry scale, fully digitally enabled, forging research platform at the AFRC.
21 Mar 2024
AFRC and ITP Aero win EPSRC Prosperity Partnership Award
The AFRC and and ITP Aero have co-developed a project to minimise energy use and material waste and enhance productivity throughout the lifecycle of the aerospace superplastic forming process.
29 Nov 2023
Striking a hammer blow for metals recycling
Footprint Tools – one of the leading manufacturers of traditional hand tools in the UK – is at the heart of a research project that could see Sheffield spark a recycling revolution in industrial forging.
3 May 2023
Forging ahead
Six major players in the forging and forming industries have joined the AFRC just months after it established an outreach office in Sheffield to support a cluster of innovative companies vital to the UK’s transition to a greener economy.
17 Aug 2022
Key equipment arrives at Boeing R&D facility in Scotland
A key piece of equipment has arrived at the Boeing and National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) R&D facility in Glasgow, where new manufacturing methods for the aircraft of today and the future are being explored.
1 Jun 2022
Pioneering cross border collaboration provides crucial support to UK forging and forming community
The UK’s forging and forming community is set to benefit from a unique pathway to cutting edge equipment and world class academic expertise.
Two new AFRC Tier Two Members accelerating traditional manufacturing methods into the 21st century
The AFRC has recently welcomed two new Tier Two members. Both companies provide unique skills to further complement the centre’s forging capability and bring a 21st century perspective on traditional processes.
Rotary forge heading to 'steel city' from Renfrew
Rotary forge heading to 'steel city' from Renfrew
28 Feb 2022
The future of manufacturing comes to the AFRC with three new Members and one renewal
The AFRC has recently added three new Members and welcomed back another, with each bringing a unique skill set central to Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing.
19 Jan 2022
Forging a new future for green energy
Sheffield Forgemasters, the castings and forging company tackling some of the world’s most complex engineering challenges in clean energy and defence, has signed up as a Tier One Partner with the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.
World renowned Scottish forging and forming research centre opening an office in ‘steel city’
The AFRC is opening an office in Sheffield, providing local forging and forming houses with easy access to support from the research centre located near Glasgow Airport in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire.
Tooling specialist chisels out agreement for another three years
Gloucestershire-based cutting tool manufacturer Quickgrind has reaffirmed its commitment to the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Group, by renewing its Tier Two Membership deal.
10 Aug 2021
Boeing getting ready for lift off from Westway, Renfrew with NMIS
Work is progressing at pace to refurbish and kit-out the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s newest facility at Westway Park in Renfrew, part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland.
Three diverse new Tier Two Members join the AFRC
We recently welcomed three new members to the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) with each organisation providing a unique skill set from the worlds of industrial apps, product development, and forging.
Circular economy project set to ensure clean energy solutions don’t increase landfill waste
A sustainability project, led by the AFRC is looking at circular solutions to ensure that the drive for electric machines doesn’t result in an increase in parts ending up in landfill.
AFRC welcomes Booth Welsh with iTech
The AFRC is delighted to welcome integrated engineering technology company Booth Welsh as the latest Tier Two Member.
AFRC welcomes global technology giant Hewlett Packard Enterprise as Tier Two Member
The AFRC has announced that it is welcoming the global technology giant Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) as a Tier Two Member of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Group.
Construction underway on flagship National Manufacturing Institute Scotland facility
Construction has started on the flagship National Manufacturing Institute Scotland facility at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire.
15 Dec 2020
Global companies strengthen their commitment to AFRC to deliver better customer solutions
Two global companies have demonstrated their commitment to the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Group, by agreeing new membership deals.
Strathclyde and partners to deliver satellite constellation project
Scientists are set to use algorithms originally developed for the study of human brains and starling flocks and apply them to the design, build, and flight of future space missions.
AFRC announces new partnership with Theorem Solutions
The AFRC is thrilled to welcome Theorem Solutions as the latest Tier Two Member at the centre – providing visualisation capabilities that will enhance the already established expertise and technologies within the AFRC’s digital manufacturing team.
Scottish project ‘reinvents the wheel’ with flat-pack hydro-energy solutions for Africa
Carruthers Renewables has teamed up with the AFRC, part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), to explore manufacturing methods for a patented water wheel capable of combating electricity scarcity in developing countries
AFRC welcomes Kigtek as latest Tier 2 member
After working together on a successful digital twin project, the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, is welcoming control systems and electrical services company, Kigtek as its latest Tier 2 Member.
NMIS Boeing programme takes off from Westway, Renfrew
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, has today announced that it has signed a lease with property investment firm Canmoor for a unit at Westway Park in Renfrew, part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland. The facility will be primarily used for the Group’s £11.8 million research and development programme with the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing.
AFRC Welcomes ROCOL as new Tier Two Member
We are pleased to welcome ROCOL as the latest Tier Two Member of the University of Strathclyde’s’ Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), providing a platform to showcase its products and services across the NMIS network of industry specialists.
University of Strathclyde at the forefront of projects helping small and medium sized manufacturing firms in Scotland
The University of Strathclyde is today announcing that it is set to be involved in six of the Scottish Government’s Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund projects. Through the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), the University will lead on two projects and colleagues across the University will support the development of four others.
Digital cask filling solution could save Scottish Whisky industry millions
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a specialist technology centre within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), have collaborated with industrial partners to devise a digital whisky cask filling process that could save Scotland’s £5.5 billion whisky industry millions of pounds each year in inventory costs.
Transvalor joins the AFRC as the first Tier One Partner in support of new FutureForge facility
Transvalor, a leading software developer in manufacturing process modelling, has joined the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), as a Tier One Partner.
Contract awarded for construction of flagship National Manufacturing Institute Scotland facility
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has awarded the contract for the build of its new flagship facility at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire to Morrison Construction, part of the Galliford Try Group.
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland leadership team bolstered with CEO appointment
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland has announced that John Reid has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer to lead the growth and development of the world-leading group of industry-led manufacturing research and development facilities at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland led by Renfrewshire Council.
Virtual training sessions with MMC Hardmetal UK are cutting it for AFRC apprentices
Not letting lockdown get in the way of learning new skills, this week five apprentices at the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) have been put through their paces with virtual training from Tier Two Member MMC Hardmetal UK, part of global company Mitsubishi Materials.
Material Benefits: Mitsubishi Materials renews its AFRC membership
Following three years of successful collaboration, MMC Hardmetal UK, part of global company Mitsubishi Materials, has renewed its Tier Two Membership at the AFRC.
Planning permission granted for construction of National Manufacturing Institute Scotland facility
Planning permission has been granted for the development of the state-of-the-art National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) facility.
Celebrating talent without limits at the AFRC
This week is Scottish Apprenticeship Week and its theme is ‘talent without limits.’ Here at the AFRC we are proud of our apprentice Jayne Clark, who is a defining example that there are no limits to where an apprenticeship can take you.
Boeing touches down in Scotland with new strategic alliance
Boeing and Scottish Enterprise have signed a new strategic agreement, called the Boeing Scotland Alliance, that will explore opportunities to work together in Scotland, with the aim of doubling Boeing’s supply chain, which could be worth tens of millions of pounds to the Scottish economy, and creating 200 new quality jobs over the next five years
NMIS Insights: National Manufacturing Institute Scotland launches its first event series
NMIS has launched a series of breakfast seminars aimed at providing Scotland’s manufacturing community with insights that can make real impact.
Connect innovators and educators to produce a workforce fit for the future
High Value Manufacturing Catapult and partners launch important report to build a workforce fit for the future
The benefits of retrofitting worn parts using Laser Metal Deposition (LMD)
In the manufacturing industry, an immediate reaction to a failed or worn part is to purchase a new one. With masses of regulations in place, why take the risk of remanufacturing a part that could result in failure with the pressure of it going wrong?
Black box insurance model will offer real time premiums for manufacturer’s machinery
Edinburgh-based Inrobin has partnered with The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) to develop a new insurance model offering an Industry 4.0 approach aimed at achieving better pricing for manufacturers.
Planning permission submitted for National Manufacturing Institute Scotland
A planning application has been submitted for the development of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) situated at the centre of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire.
Why the oil and gas sector needs to embrace Additive Manufacturing
Stephen Fitzpatrick leads the AFRC’s machining and additive manufacturing Team. Here, he explores the far-reaching benefits and potential of additive technology within the oil and gas sector.
The AFRC and Siemens get connected - accelerating the rise of smart factories across Scotland
The AFRC has agreed a Tier One Partnership with global technology giant, Siemens, aiming to stimulate the uptake of digital technologies within the manufacturing industry and support the factories of the future across Scotland.
Advanced Forming Research Centre’s new Chief Operating Officer goes back to her roots
The AFRC has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer to head up its operations as it continues to grow as part of the new National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS).
AFRC Tier Two Membership is measuring up for leading precision engineering firm
UK part manufacturing and software specialist MSP has signed up to Tier Two Membership at the AFRC bringing with it renowned expertise in metrology, calibration and error-free machining, along with ambitious plans for growth.
A cutting edge conference: The AFRC hosts Scotland’s first machining conference in over two decades
Scotland’s first machining conference since the 1990s took place at the AFRC last month, marking the largest ever event hosted by the Inchinnan based research centre.
University of Strathclyde part of green initiative to turn 22 million homes energy neutral
The University of Strathclyde is part of an ambitious initiative that will design state of the art factories to support the renovation of 22 million homes across Europe that must become energy-neutral before 2050.
AFRC makes move into space industry
Collaboration with Airbus and TWI aims to bring fuel tank manufacturing jobs back to the UK
AFRC membership is cutting it for innovative UK machining and tooling firm
Tier two membership at the AFRC is proving fruitful for forward thinking cutting tool manufacturer Quickgrind after securing four new contracts within just 16 months of signing on the dotted line.
(EngD) student scoops prestigious Materials Science and Technology Literature Review Prize
A University of Strathclyde student has beat off stiff competition from finalists from the Universities of Cambridge, Lancaster and Malaysia to scoop this year’s prestigious Materials Science and Technology Literature Review Prize.
AFRC in €4.25m project to help 1,300 European SMEs
The AFRC is the UK spoke in a North West Europe wide project designed to transform the machining sector, helping 1300 SMEs to stimulate turnover and employment through the uptake of Industry 4.0 technologies.
New national centre unveiled
An £8.9 million centre to help companies benefit from lightweight manufacturing technology has been officially opened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
£1.2M project set up to deliver low cost, high value manufacture in the tool and die industry
The AFRC has joined forces with a consortium of six other companies to revolutionise the UK’s tool and die sector, paving way for low cost remanufacture within the industry.
Research furthers initiative that could divert 100,000 tonnes of waste ash from landfill each year
Heat treatment experts at the AFRC have furthered research into a sustainable initiative that could save up to 100,000 tonnes of waste ash from landfill each year.
The AFRC combines machining and additive manufacturing on the first hybrid platform of its kind in Scotland
The AFRC has integrated cutting-edge laser metal deposition (LMD) technology within a CNC machine, creating a unique platform that is the first of its kind in Scotland, and one of very few across the world.
The AFRC partners up with Matsuura to accelerate the use of innovative machine tool technology across Scottish firms
The AFRC has agreed a tier one partnership with Matsuura Machinery Limited, aiming to accelerate the use of innovative machine tool technologies that can save significant costs across sectors such as aerospace and oil and gas.
AFRC explores the future of metrology through partnership with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence
The AFRC has agreed a tier one partnership with pioneering metrology technology firm, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, which is taking the centre’s measurement and sensing capability to the next level with big benefits for Scottish firms.
Spirit AeroSystems and the AFRC join forces to boost UK aerospace sector
AFRC is teaming up with global aerospace components manufacturer, Spirit AeroSystems, to help shape the future of aircraft development.
AFRC celebrates its rising stars at the CeeD industry awards
Three rising stars from the AFRC collectively scooped the award for Young Person of the Year at last night’s inaugural Ceed Industry Awards.
The future is electric: AFRC part of new hub launched to increase electrification in UK manufacturing
The AFRC and the department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering will form the Scottish arm of a hub that is aiming to put the UK at the forefront of an electrification revolution.
AFRC using rotary friction welding to reduce materials wastage and production time across UK manufacturing
The AFRC is exploring innovative ways to reduce materials wastage and production time across UK manufacturing, using rotary friction welding.
State-of-the-art visualisation suite opens at the AFRC
The suite, designed and kitted out by the centre’s tier one partner Virtalis, is the only one in Scotland with its unique set of capabilities available for commercial research and development work.
The AFRC 6
In our first ever AFRC 6, we speak to Andrew Aitken, COO at Lanner, who offers invaluable advice for firms seeking to embrace the exciting world of industry 4.0 but aren’t sure where to start.
AFRC expands collaboration network with five new members
We recently welcomed five new members to the AFRC, each bringing with them a diverse blend of digital and manufacturing know how.
BHGE partners with AFRC to push limits of advanced manufacturing for oil and gas
The AFRC and Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), have joined forces to explore how some of the latest advanced manufacturing tools and processes can drive more efficient, smarter ways to reduce cost and increase productivity across BHGE’s operations.
Strathclyde secures £16.5m for major new advanced engineering facility
The AFRC has secured £16.5million to establish a major new advanced engineering facility that will put Scotland at the forefront of the movement to transform one of the manufacturing sector’s most traditional and important supply chains.
AFRC forms partnership with Bitzlist to create smart factory for Scotland
The AFRC has agreed a tier one partnership with software platform BitzList – the first micro business to sign a top-level agreement with a High Value Manufacturing Catapult organisation.
AFRC announces new partnership with Quickgrind
The AFRC is delighted to welcome cutting tool manufacturer, Quickgrind, as its latest tier two member.
National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland
Location announced for centre of excellence. A new ‘Factory for the Future’ will be built on the banks of the Clyde. Renfrewshire will be home to the new £65 million National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS), with the University of Strathclyde announced as the anchor university.
AFRC joins forces with Business Insider for the Made in Scotland Awards
The AFRC is once again the headline sponsor of the Business Insider Made in Scotland awards
AFRC Executive Chairman makes prestigious Top 100 list
Professor Keith Ridgway CBE, Executive Chairman at the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), has been nominated in The Manufacturer Top 100 2017.
AFRC part of cross-border renewable engine supercluster
The AFRC is proud to announce that it is part of a £6.1 million ground breaking cross-border research and innovation ‘supercluster’ in a major four-year research project which aims to ramp up the commercialisation of new products and processes across the renewable energy sector.
AFRC announces two new partnership deals
The AFRC is delighted to announce two new tier two membership deals with world-leading engineering companies, Prince International Corporation and Nikken Kosakusho Europe Ltd.
National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland
A new ‘Factory for the Future’ will be built on the banks of the Clyde. Renfrewshire will be home to the new £65 million National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS), with the University of Strathclyde announced as the anchor university.
World-class manufacturer provides tech solutions for AFRC machining research
The AFRC's machining team visited the Mitsubishi Valencia Education Centre to learn more about technologies for the centre’s die manufacture research programme.
Three new members for the AFRC
The AFRC has welcomed three major new members from the global manufacturing sector.
Consortium to build new reality for construction industry
A consortium of organisations, including the AFRC, has secured £1 million of funding to develop the use of virtual and augmented reality in the construction industry.
AFRC forges new path for UK manufacturing
The AFRC has made a £2.3-million investment in new kit as it seeks to enhance the competitiveness of the UK’s automotive, aerospace, and medical manufacturing sectors.
AFRC announces new partnership with TMS CADCentre
We are delighted to announce its new tier two membership with TMS CADCentre, a leading provider of computer aided design (CAD) solutions in Scotland.
Strathclyde's AFRC to oversee new £8.9m Lightweight Manufacturing Centre
The specialist centre will develop new manufacturing processes for lightweight materials and will be the first step towards creating a National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland.
New £350K R&D competition tasks tech innovators with solving real-world challenges
A new initiative is seeking innovative UK SMEs whose technology can be adapted and commercialised to solve societal and industry challenges.
CGTech Ltd and the AFRC in new partnership deal
CGTech Ltd, a world leading software technology company, has signed up to be a tier two member of the AFRC.
Dontyne Systems becomes AFRC tier two member
Internationally-renowned gear design company, Dontyne Systems, has signed up to become a tier two member of AFRC
AFRC hosts Primary Engineer celebration event
Young engineers of the future from primary schools around Renfrewshire recently attended a Primary Engineer Celebration Event.