The Joining 4.0 Innovation Centre will be owned by the university, but will be based at a TWI facility in Cambridge. It will concentrate its research on the next generation of manufacturing, such as the Internet of Things and additive manufacturing (3D printing).
TWI will provide funding for eight Lancaster PhD researchers over five years, and the partnership will also look to boost the knowledge of both organisations, as well as TWI’s network of 700 industrial member companies.
“This exciting new partnership will deliver world-leading science, innovation and skills necessary to put the UK in the centre of the fourth industrial revolution,” said Professor Stephen Decent, pro-vice-chancellor for research and enterprise at Lancaster University. “It builds upon Lancaster’s leadership in Industry 4.0.”
“The establishment of the Joining 4.0 Innovation Centre marks a significant step towards securing the UK’s position at the forefront of digital manufacturing and joining innovation within the Industry 4.0 environment,” said Professor Aamir Khalid, director of technology at TWI. “TWI is proud to be collaborating with Lancaster University on this unique project, and looks forward to working together to develop technologies and methodologies that make a tangible difference to UK industry.”
