The University of Liverpool’s Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) is part of a Northwest consortium that has been awarded £1.95million from the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) to create a new ‘digital’ supply chain for the UK automotive sector.
The project, `Simulation Tools for Rapid Innovation in Vehicle Engineering’ (STRIVE ), is led by the Northwest Automotive Alliance (NAA), also involves Bentley Motors Icona Solutions and DNA-Agile Outsourcing Services.
STRIVE will introduce innovative new manufacturing planning processes which will lead to improvements in manufacturing productivity. The three-year project aims to facilitate a ‘step change’ in UK automotive manufacturing, enhancing product design to support improvements in manufacturing productivity whilst retains(and improves) build quality.
Next generation technologies
The R&D programme, led by the NAA, will combine next generation technologies provided by Optis, Icona and DNA-Agile Solutions, along with technical integration and research expertise through the University’s Virtual Engineering Centre.
They will work with Bentley Motors’ Engineering and Product Launch teams in the development and engineering design of new models.
STRIVE will also develop an integrated solution of high fidelity simulation, immersive virtual prototypes and processes for evaluation and, ultimately, application for the advancement of the UK automotive industry. This will result in significantly reduced timescales for the development of new vehicles and enhanced build quality.
STRIVE project group members with Finance Birmingham Programme Management team, (left to right) Tony Guo, Tom Dawes (DNA-Agile), Dr Chris Sutcliffe (University of Liverpool), Andy Green (Finance Birmingham), Dr Gillian Murray (Virtual Engineering Centre), Carol Holden, Zoe Desoer (Northwest Automotive Alliance), Jeremy Taylor (Finance Birmingham), Dr John Maxfield (Icona Solutions), Jim Shaw (Bentley Motors), Philippe Billaud, Chris Grieve (Optis), Lynn Dwyer (Virtual Engineering Centre) and Lorraine Qadeer (Optis)
Following successful completion of the project, the new processes will be available for ‘roll out’ to vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and other industries with a similar manufacturing and assembly environment.
Carol Holden, from the Northwest Automotive Alliance said: “This is an exciting and innovative project. It has the potential to take new models to market. The benefits will be felt not just by consortia members but, ultimately, by all UK automotive manufacturers, endorsing the UK’s position as a quality and cost competitive manufacturing base”.
To find out more about the VEC visit the website.
The Virtual Engineering Centre is a strategic partner of the Hartree Centre at the Science and Technology Facilities Council
