NPL serves to apply the latest advances in measurement science, engineering and technology to fast-track British manufacturing, helping the industry gain a competitive edge on the global stage in the face of the growing capability of digital technologies.
The institute aims to help businesses of all sizes become more competitive, sustainable and efficient through the application of better measurement – from raw materials to end product quality assurance. It will help manufacturers exploit new technology by providing traceability of measurements and data back to international standards.
With over a century of expertise, NPL have introduced a number of new programmes and facilities to grow the economic impact of UK manufacturing and drive high productivity growth. These include:
- Launching a Digitally Enabled Supply Chain (DESC) programme to establish the UK’s supply chains in a world-leading position
- Opening a new facility to accelerate uptake of composites to help industry secure a share of a global market set to exceed $105bn by 2020
- Working to establish a National Sensor Systems Innovation Centre, which will bring together industry and academia to accelerate the development of sensor technology
- Developing standards for additive manufacturing to unlock the benefits of reduction of waste, increased flexibility and efficiency for industry
- Consulting with industry on future battery development, looking to replace the reliance on existing Lithium Ion batteries
“Far from a declining industry, manufacturing in the UK accounts for 45% of UK exports and employs 2.7 million people,” said Professor Matthew Maynard, head of advanced manufacturing at NPL. “New technologies and processes offer enormous possibilities for growth, if industry can take advantage of them, but barriers remain.
“With a lack of standardisation, verification and confidence, new technologies risk never getting off the ground. By expanding our support of industry, NPL will provide assurance to manufacturers that the technology they embed in their systems works; develop new, international comparable standards to ensure better quality control; and ensure the confidence of manufacturing data, to make Industry 4.0 a reality rather than an aspiration.”
