More ‘traditional’ voice required?

Manufuture's visibility in the UK has been low. That's because the subsequent output here has been one of influence on other existing R&D initiatives, so the label 'Manufuture' is not explicitly linked with individual projects, although the UK Manufuture group will have influenced some. In other countries, the link between research projects and Manufuture seems to be more explicit. This stronger link is highlighted in the various countries' National Regional Technology Platform (NRTP) documents – the establishment of NRTPs was called for in the Manufuture SRA, in fact, but not all EU countries have reacted. The UK NRTP document stands out in a couple of respects. While others have a distinct 'traditional' mechanical engineering flavour about them, the UK is far less coloured this way. Two reasons, it would appear. The level of UK 'traditional' industry engagement with the Manufuture process, as indicated in the NRTP, is low and, linked with that, the UK Manufuture group has pushed the boundaries of manufacturing to include a broader swathe of activity. This takes in the inclusion of services as part of a manufacturing company's offering, for example – the influence of aero engine maker Rolls-Royce, a member of the UK national group, can be detected here perhaps. Its 'Power by the hour' offering is the sale of fully serviced engine time, not an engine itself. There's also a more modern view of what constitutes manufacturing; biotech, for example. (Indeed, our cover shows biotech manufacturing machinery juxtaposed with traditional manufacturing machinery.) That's because another member of the UK Manufuture group has a modern, biotech outlook. Delcam is yet another member of the UK group, and its influence and involvement in a more traditional engineering type national programme can be discerned. Friction welding specialist Thompson was involved, but is no longer. Now, there' nothing wrong with an expansion of the boundaries put round manufacturing, but is traditional mechanical engineering under-represented in the UK Manufuture activity? Well, that really is for those in 'traditional' industry to decide. Do you feel well served by European and national research programmes, either in terms of participation or in the way that you will be affected by the outcomes of existing projects? If not, the only way to exert influence is to become involved. A new phase of Manufuture is about to commence and there will be national meetings held this summer. Machinery will publish the dates and locations; the rest is up to you. First published in Machinery, June 2009