Partners in precision

The opening ceremony was part of a day-long series of events that included presentations from representatives of the University, the NPL, the Manufacturing Technologies Association and Rolls Royce. The challenges facing UK manufacturers were among the topics addressed – a reminder that academic research had a vital role to play in the real world. NPL managing director Dr Brian Bowsher, said the MoU between the University and the NPL had worked really well and its success was demonstrated by the new measuring services laboratory. "Also, we have had great interactions with the key industry in the area and we have developed a number of common appointments here at Huddersfield. The way it's going has been very positive indeed and a very good example of how NPL is working not just in London but throughout country as a whole," he went on. The National Physical Laboratory now has an ultra-modern facility at the University of Huddersfield that enhanced its ability to provide an important service to manufacturing industry in the regions. Work could, for example, be done on the measurement of highly complex surfaces such as turbine blades. And the technology available included laser-trace equipment that could be taken on-site in order to calibrate large and complex machine tools. A procedure that might have taken fortnight could now be accomplished in two days. Pictured are: The University's Engineering Control and Machine Performance Group - (left to right) Dr Andrew Longstaff, Dr Crinela Pislaru, team leader Alan Myers and Dr Simon Fletcher.