Manufacturing Support

 Manufacture for Advanced Design Engineering

Manufacturers are facing rapidly changing challenges as the fourth industrial revolution offers exciting technological advances.

It has never been more important for manufacturers to appraise their operations and do what is necessary to boost their competitiveness and to future-proof their business.

Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution, refers to the digitalisation of manufacturing. It is the trend towards cyber-physical systems monitoring manufacturing processes to provide in-depth data that allows for the introduction of innovative and disruptive technologies to drive efficiencies.

Technology is moving at such a rapid pace that manufacturers in Wales now have the opportunity to exploit automation and smart systems to remain ahead of the curve. It is not about robots replacing humans in the manufacturing process but rather using technology to improve processes, increase capacity and move the workforce on to more beneficial tasks. It is the creative application of knowledge that will future-proof manufacturing.

Part of the response to these challenges is a suite of EU-funded projects delivered by University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) through its’ Centre for Advanced Batch Manufacture (CBM) that has been tailor-made for SMEs and individuals across Wales to plug into the power of disruptive technologies, in order to boost productivity.

The manufacture for advanced design engineering projects are split into three areas:

1. Upskilling for Industry 4.0 (up to 70% EU funded if criteria fulfilled)

This Masters level qualification is designed to up-skill professionals within manufacturing to understand, adapt and take advantage of the opportunities offered by rapid, disruptive technological change. The programme aims to produce professionals who can understand the impact of Industry 4.0 on their companies, the wider economy and their own careers, and to equip them with the skills necessary to help shape the response to this change within their own companies.  

2. International Innovation Masters (up to 70% EU funded if criteria fulfilled)

This Masters level offer is designed to increase the number of people in the workforce with technical skills at an intermediate and higher level. The programme seeks to produce managers with an international perspective who understand how to bring innovative products and services to market, how companies can introduce and exploit innovation, and how new commercial opportunities can be identified and realised.

NOTE: Participants in the ‘International Innovation Masters’ and ‘Upskilling for Industry 4.0’ projects are also offered a bespoke training course based on their needs and interests, as well as those of their employers, including advanced level learning leading to a UWTSD award. 

3. Advanced Design Engineering (50:50 collaboration with no cash cost to you assuming criteria fulfilled)

This project is focused on helping Welsh SMEs in the supply chain network to realise the benefits of new technologies in a practical way. The idea is to collaborate on a prototyping project within the company to help with the adoption of those technologies. This could be improving processes, driving efficiencies within production or the creation of new products. All the company needs to contribute is the equivalent time and other resource to match that of the University. 

If you’d like to know more about the MADE suite of EU-funded projects, visit the MADE website or call MADE on 01792 48 11 99 for a chat.

Published: Friday, 9 August 2019