'Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)'
Doi
Abstract
Impact and its measure of outcome is a given
performance indicator within academia. Impact metrics and the
associated understanding play a large part of how academic
research is judged and ultimately funded. Natural progression of
successful scientific research into industry is now an essential tool
for academia. This paper describes what began over ten years ago
as a concept to automate a bespoke welding system, highlighting
its evolution from the research laboratories of The University of
Sheffield to become a platform technology for aerospace remanufacturing
developed though industry-academia
collaboration. The design process, funding mechanisms, research
and development trials and interaction between robotic
technology and experienced welding engineers has made possible
the construction of a robotic aerospace turbofan jet engine blade
re-manufacturing system. This is a joint collaborative research
and development project carried out by VBC Instrument
Engineering Limited (UK) and The University of Sheffield (UK)
who are funded by the UK governments’ innovation agency,
Innovate-UK with the Aerospace Technology Institute, the Science
and Facilities Technology Council (STFC) and the Engineering
and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
