Growing Business through Technology Innovations

On Wednesday 19 January 2011, His Royal Highness the Duke of York formally opened the Advanced Forming Research Centre – a multi million pound collaborative project between the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government and Industry

This world-class research centre pioneers forming and forging techniques that support manufacturing processes for the aerospace, energy, marine, automotive and other industries, and is setting new standards in design, manufacturing, cost and environmental efficiencies. The centre is a collaborative venture between the University, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government and internationally renowned engineering firms including Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Mettis Aerospace, TIMET, Aubert & Duval and Barnes Aerospace.

"It is our conviction that technological prowess is the key to driving competitiveness and productivity, which will deliver greater growth."

David Lockwood, Thales and Chair of Scotland's Technology Advisory Group

Scotland’s economic advance is the goal of the Enabling Technologies strategy of the Technology Advisory Group. The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) provides an excellent example of harnessing Scottish industry and university capabilities.

The centre is the only research institute in the UK in possession of industrial scale super-plastic forming equipment, which will enable researchers to shape complex materials at temperatures of up to 960°C. The facilities will support the manufacture of advanced products for aircraft wings, engines, cars, ships, medical devices and power generation.

The AFRC illustrates the benefits of nurturing a partnership between the public, private and academic sectors, where businesses of all sizes can benefit from Scotland’s impressive track record and global reputation in collaborative research and development.

“The innovative processes developed at this centre will help transform the competitiveness of manufacturing companies at a local, national and international level. I am confident the AFRC will rapidly establish a world-class reputation and become recognised as a national asset.”

Stephen Burgess Chair of the AFRC Board and Manufacturing Processes & Technology Executive at Rolls-Royce

A beacon of success

The AFRC brings together engineering excellence through research pools that combine our academic strengths with the industry expertise of global companies, all within a custom built, world class research facility.

“The AFRC is already a beacon of success for harvesting our leading-edge capabilities in metal forming and forging.”

Jan Reid, Enabling Technologies, Scottish Enterprise.

What is forming?

Forming involves changing the shape or size of materials using a variety of manufacturing processes including forging, stamping, pressing, and super-plastic-forming. Forming is a vital process across a variety of industries; the AFRC carries out industrially focused research which is delivering major productivity gains and process innovations within what was traditionally an expensive and time consuming process.

Who benefits

The manufacturing innovations created at AFRC will have applications across a range of sectors including aerospace, energy, advanced engineering, marine, and automobile industries. The AFRC can offer solutions to companies of all sizes looking to gain an edge on the competition by pioneering projects quickly, easily, and cost effectively through the use of enabling technologies. Organisations can contact AFRC for direct support for problem solving and to access longer term knowledge transfer programmes including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and University specific programmes that leverage funding to deliver maximum advantage.

“The AFRC will cement Scotland’s global reputation for excellence in engineering, and is already receiving demand for research from around the world. The collaborative approach between the University, Scottish Enterprise and leading engineering companies will enable us to be at the forefront of innovation in the high-value manufacturing sector, while making a significant contribution to the wider economy.”

Professor Jim Mcdonald Principal of the University Of Strathclyde

For all general enquiries and to access the AFRC, please contact:

Advanced Forming Research Centre
85 Inchinnan Drive
Inchinnan
Renfrewshire
PA4 9L J

Tel: 0141 534 5200 or 0141 534 5201
Email: info@afrc.org.uk