Thu, 10 June, 2021
Further progress was made recently towards completing the strategic review and technology diagnosis of the most critical challenges affecting TWI Industrial Members, and how to tackle these most effectively, with the delivery of a second TWI Core Research Programme Technology Mapping Workshop on 19 May 2021.
TWI’s Core Research Programme (CRP) takes a project-based approach to address different technical, operational and sector-based challenges TWI’s Industrial Member companies are experiencing and require assistance with. A number of CRP projects are started annually which see TWI Members, and TWI’s technical project leaders and consultants work together on joint research and development (R&D) that can deliver solutions to the issues identified. Projects can last from 1-5 years and, on completion, are disseminated to all TWI Member companies to enable the sharing of new technologies, processes and insights.
This most recent workshop, kicked off by Darren Wood, Vice Chair of TWI’s Research Board and closed by Simon Webster, Chair of TWI’s Research Board, was attended by around 50 delegates comprising Industrial Member companies on TWI’s Research Board and TWI technology experts in the technical areas tabled for further discussion. Following a recap of progress to date, attendees formed into breakout groups, which were moderated by David Panni, JCB, Gareth Hopkin, Office for Nuclear Regulation and Chair of TWI’s Materials Committee, and Ernst Miklos, Linde Group and Chair of TWI’s Joining and Fabrication Committee, and facilitated by Angela Angulo, Andra Stancu and Kate Kell of TWI.
Based on the findings from the brain storming activities of the first workshop in March 2021, these next interactive sessions extended the dialogue on the four main areas of interest to TWI and its Members in the next 1-5 years, namely, data and digitalisation, smart manufacturing, new materials and decarbonisation. These were discussed in the context of the over-arching, bigger, global themes for industry of: environmental sustainability, including recyclability, net zero and hydrogen fuel; and industry 4.0 including the advancement and adoption of digital and additive manufacturing, application of historical data for diagnostic and measurement purposes and digital twin models to enable real-time, in-service monitoring of assets.
Angela Angulo, Innovation Consultancy Manager, TWI said “The break-out format enabled a dynamic and lively contribution from all participants which has helped define the key topics to focus CRP projects on going forward. This means we can now formulate the technology roadmap document, taking into account our Members and market needs, which will guide CRP research in the coming years”, explaining, “TWI and our Members will use this information to plan for proposals to be funded as part of the CRP.”
Darren Wood, Vice Chair of TWI’s Research Board said,
“I am highly optimistic about the steps we are taking to increase the CRP’s value. Our first workshop delivered an impressive list of ideas, born out of the long term ambitions and goals of our Members. Our second workshop took this to the next level, identifying ideas that resonated with other Members, and exploring how to better define and create greater value for one another. The diversity of our membership, and supported industries, provided the critical ingredients for an innovative CRP, which is increasingly demonstrating that we are a member driven community and will achieve more as a collective.”
Find out more about TWI’s Core Research Programme (CRP).