Frequently Asked Questions
A collection of answers to the questions you ask us the most about the AMRC and the Factory of the Future.
Don't see your questions? To add your question to the list please email Timothy Scherer
- What is the AMRC?
- What does the AMRC do?
- How was the AMRC initially funded?
- How do I get to the AMRC?
- How is Boeing involved with the AMRC?
- How is the University of Sheffield involved in the AMRC?
- How is research classified?
- Who are the AMRC's current partners?
- Who are the AMRC's tier one partners?
- Who are the AMRC's tier two partners?
- What happens with competitive companies and intellectual property at the AMRC?
- What type of membership options are available and how can I join?
- How did the AMRC get all its equipment?
- Why should I work with the AMRC?
- How do I initiate a project with the AMRC?
- How are Intellectual Property Rights Handled?
- Do I have to be an AMRC partner company to become involved?
- What sort of quality standards does the AMRC have?
- How does the AMRC assist companies in the region?
- How does the AMRC help the community?
- What is dynamic analysis?
- Does the AMRC only work in the machining of metals?
- How can my company advertise in the AMRC newsletter?
Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future FAQ
- What is the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- Why are you building the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- What will the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future do?
- What are the benefits to the AMRC partners?
- What are the main differences between the AMRC and the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- What equipment is going into the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- Who are the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future companies?
- How is the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future funded?
- Why is Boeing interested in making this investment?
- Why is Rolls-Royce interested in making this investment?
- Why in Sheffield?
- How big is it going to be?
- When will it be complete?
- What is the progress on the build?
- When will it be open/operational?
- What are the environmental features to be incorporated in the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- Why a zero carbon footprint?
- Who designed the building?
- Will the Factory of the Future only work on the machining of metals?
- What are the membership options available for the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing is a £45million partnership that builds on the shard scientific excellence, expertise and technological innovation of the world's leading aerospace company and the world-class research within the University of Sheffield's faculty of engineering. The AMRC's vision is to become a world-class global research facility developing innovative and advanced technology solutions for advanced materials forming. The AMRC is tangible demonstration of what is possible when academia, government and industry collaborate to develop cutting-edge technologies enabling world-class scientists and engineers to deliver real economic and environmental solutions benefiting everyone.
- Generally
speaking, the AMRC identifies, researches and solves advanced
manufacturing problems. This is done through a variety of means which
are further explained in our capabilities section and research sections.
How was the AMRC initially funded?
- The AMRC received its initial government funding of £5.93 million from the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). We received additional funding from the Regional Development Agency (RDA), Yorkshire Forward; the project is also part funded by the European Union regional development fund; the University of Sheffield and, of course, the Boeing Company.
- We are located just off the M1 freeway in Rotherham on The Advanced Manufacturing Park. For directions to the AMRC, or to the Rolls-Royce Foers building, please visit our contacts page and look at the top left hand side of the screen or just click here.
How is Boeing involved with the AMRC?
- Boeing invests directly into the AMRC and has a ten year commitment of involvement to invest in research and development in science and manufacturing. Boeing was one of the AMRC's original partners.
How is the University of Sheffield involved with the AMRC?
- The AMRC is part of the University of Sheffield (UoS) and employs most onsite staff. The university has a vested interest in regenerating a deprived region. This can be done by helping to introduce research and development into industry and up-skilling within the UK aerospace supply chain. Additionally, the university carries out its own research using the AMRC facilities. The UoS was one of the AMRC's original partners.
- Generic Research-This research is carried out on behalf of the partnership and the results are distributed to all partners. Typically, generic projects form the core content of the Ph.D. programme, and last a minimum of two years. The results of this will be published on the centre's website prior to being published and presented in the appropriate journals or seminars.
- Specific Research-Only one partner invests in this research and has exclusive access to any resulting intellectual property.
- Innovative projects-These projects are carried out on behalf of the partnership and, resultantly, the findings are passed on to all partners. Innovative projects are usually funded from outside the partnership by bodies such as the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council, the Economic and Social Science Research Council, or the European Framework funding.
Who are the AMRC's current partners?
- Please visit our partners page by clicking here.
Who are the AMRC's tier one partners?
- Applied (Dassault Systemes)
- Alcoa
- BAE
- Boeing
- Cincinnati
- Delcam
- Lola Composite
- Messier-Dowty
- Metris
- Mori Seiki
- PTC
- Renishaw
- Rolls-Royce
- Sandvik Coromant
- Smiths Industries/GE
- Starragheckert
- Technicut
Who are the AMRC's tier two partners?
- Arcam
- ATS
- CG Tech
- DA Stuart
- DIAD
- Dormer
- Footprint Tools
- Machineworks
- Mahers
- Materialise
- Manufacturing Labs Inc.
- Mitsubishi
- Mitutoyo
- MLI
- Nikken
- Optima
- Reliance Gears
- Third Wave Systems
- Timet
- Virtalis
- Westons
What happens with competitive companies and intellectual property (IP) at the AMRC?
- All specific research and classified competitive secrets are treated with the highest level of confidentiality. The IP is separated in three different categories, depending on how the research is initiated, depending on the classification, some IP is shared some is not. Additionally, all partners must sign Non-Disclosure agreements (NDA) to provide legal protection if any partnership is compromised.
What type of membership options are available and how can I join?
- Any company who works in a complementary area or who wishes to participate in the support of our research programmes is invited to join the AMRC. Currently there are two types of membership.
- Tier 1-Tier 1 membership costs £200,000 per year. Tier 1 partners get an individual seat on the board and an opportunity to influence the direction of future research. Tier 1 members participate in, and obtain the results of all generic projects. Additionally, Tier 1 members have the opportunity to specify any number of specific projects which are presented to the board for ranking and approval as funds become available.
- Tier 2-Tier 2 membership costs £30,000 per year. Tier 2 members participate in, and obtain the results of all generic projects. All Tier 2 partners are represented by one single board member.
- Companies interested in joining the AMRC should e-mail Commercial Director, Adrian Allen
How did the AMRC get all its equipment?
- All of the machines at the AMRC were given to us as in-kind donations with the exception of two pieces of equipment. For a list of all machine tools, click here.
Why should I work with the AMRC?
- When you work with the AMRC you have the opportunity to reduce your R&D costs through the sharing of state-of-the-art equipment, software, knowledge, and experience. Additionally, the AMRC serves as a showcase for manufacturers to display their products and staff to government officials, as well as leaders in academia in industry. The AMRC is a neutral unbiased benchmarking facility that truly adds value for money spent.
How do I initiate a project with the AMRC?
- For all small and medium companies, please e-mail Denzil Lawrence to find out if the resources are available to undertake your project.
- For everyone else please e-mail Commercial Director of the AMRC, Adrian Allen.
How are intellectual property rights handled?
- The term intellectual property rights (IPR) refers to the intellectual property (IP) generated during a project. Generally, IPR is assigned to the AMRC, but collaborators and partners receive a free license to exploit any IPR generated.
In certain cases research project sponsors may negotiate to have sole access to the IPR generated.
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Do I have to be an AMRC partner company to become involved with the project?
- No you don't. The AMRC has the capacity and capability to undertake specific work on a commercial basis if the resources at the ARMC are available. To obtain details of the services offered please visit our capabilities section by clicking here.
What sort of Quality Standards does the AMRC have?
- Currently the AMRC is working towards International Standards Organization certification and Aerospace Standard Quality Management system. Listed below are the certifications the AMRC is working towards.
- ISO 9001
- ISO 17025
- AS 9100
- ISO 1400
How does the AMRC assists companies in the region?
- The AMRC helps companies in the region by offering our capabilities, and advising services often times at a subsidized or reduced rate. To find out if the AMRC can help your company e-mail Denzil Lawrence.
How does the AMRC help the community?
- School Based Activities
- AMRC staff are available, if given enough notice, to participate in your school's event. Past school based activities we have participated in include, Brinsworth Comprehensive School's M.A.D. for Physics Day; Fir Vale Primary School's Personal Air Vehicle Design Competition; guest lecturing at Sheffield College; and hosting the Young Institution of Mechanical Engineering. To find out how the AMRC can help your school e-mail PR & Communication Manager, Timothy Scherer.
What is dynamic analysis?
- For an explanation of dynamic analysis please visit our research section by clicking here.
Does the AMRC only work in the machining of metals?
- While machining of hard metals (titanium and nickel alloys) is a large part of what the AMRC does, it is not the only thing we do. Leading up to the machining we research dynamic analysis, and CAD/CAM modeling. We also do post examination of materials and cutting tools by examining surface integrity, machine tool wear, and burr removal. Additionally, we are examining additive manufacturing techniques such as the Rolls-Royce sponsored Shape Metal Deposition Cell.
How do I advertise in the AMRC newsletter?
- E-mail PR and Communication Manager, Timothy Scherer for pricing and publication requirements.
The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future FAQ
What is the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- The University of Sheffield Factory of the Future with Boeing sponsored by Rolls-Royce, is the second phase of development of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. It is a collaborative partnership that applies scientific theory, environmentally sustainable solutions and manufacturing principles to solve advanced manufacturing problems. The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future will continuously evolve and push the boundaries of current manufacturing knowledge.
Why are you building the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- The expansion is a result of the
success of the AMRC. Currently, we don't have the physical space to
accommodate the additional work, staff and expanding capabilities. In
other words, we will not be able to satisfy the current demands and
future needs of our funders. However, the expansion is not "just more
of the same." The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future will provide sufficient space
to demonstrate processes utilising machines arranged in manufacturing
cells. It will also enable the AMRC to carry out research into
improved assembly techniques - a requirement requested by prime
collaborators and regional companies. it will use new machine
monitoring facilities and employ the Rolls-Royce FAST methodology
throughout.
What will the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future do?
- Bring together pure and applied research, educational and industrial resources to be a world-class incubator for creativity, excellence and training.
- Create an integrated knowledge sharing community.
- Adopt and demonstrate new business models organisational concepts and business methods.
- Overcome the theoretical limitations to manufacturing performance by researching and demonstrating the potential of new technology.
- Demonstrate the implementation and use of step-change manufacturing technologies in commercial scale environment.
- Showcase leading-edge manufacturing processes, equipment and tooling systems.
- Have a fully integrated environment - PLM/CAPP/Manufacturing Intelligence.
- Include a pre-production "demonstrator" environment for manufacturing complex
- components in aerospace materials to "lean" principles.
- Target step change MOM improvements to strategic "high-added-value" component families. For example, Rolls-Royce casings, discs, shafts; structural parts for Boeing; Landing gear for Messier-Dowty; and prismatic parts for Smiths Industries.
- Provide guaranteed product conformance via embedded quality systems and advanced measurement technologies.
- Act as a "Sand-Box" environment for concept evaluation and training.
What are the benefits to the AMRC partners?
- In addition to the existing capabilities of the AMRC, the machine tools in the Factory of the Future will be arranged in production cells, (a group of machines that produce a single end product) enabling partners and other companies to trial new processes before embedding them in their own production facilities. This will give manufacturers the information they need to implement change quickly, with a minimum disruption to production, and provide the techniques that will enable them to stay ahead of the competition.
What are the main differences between the orignal AMRC building and the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- Size
- The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future will be four times the size of the AMRC. The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future will be 4654m^2.
- The workshop floor will incorporate 800 millimeter thick concrete floor allowing for much larger machines to be introduced into our centre.
- Building Design
- The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future will be designed to BREEAM excellence standards.
- State-of-the-art measurement facilites, temperature controlled environment.
- Visitor friendly features allowing us to give tours without having to interrupt our engineers.
- Sustainability
- The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future will feature more than twenty different environmentally sustainable features including two wind turbine.
- Communication
- Fully networked environment incorporating the latest communication technology.
What equipment is going into the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- Makino A99 - Gives us grinding capability
- Hydraflow coolant chiller - Allows us to control coolant temperatures
- Elbo Tool Setter
- Starragheckert ZT-1000 Vertical Machining Centre - Gives us 5-axis machining centre
- Starragheckert spindle
- Cincinnati H5 800XT Vertical Machining Centre - Gives us a second 5-axis machining centre
- Cincinnati V5 Universal Machining Centre
- Cincinnati Hawk 300 lathe
- Cincinnati CVF 550
- Mori Seiki SV50
- Mori Seiki Mill Turn NT 5400 NT DCG
- Mitsubishi Wire EDM FX20
- Baron
- Coordinate Measuring Machinery
- Shaped Metal Deposition Plasma Welding
- Colchester Student lathe
- KRV 3000 Milling Machine
- Helichecker
- Polisher Bench
- Micro Exam Surface Mapping
- Johnson & Allen Crack Detection
Who are the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future companies?
- Tier one
- Applied (Dassault Systemes)
- Alcoa
- BAE
- Boeing
- Cincinnati
- Delcam
- Lola Composite
- Messier-Dowty
- Metris
- Mori Seiki
- PTC
- Renishaw
- Rolls-Royce
- Sandvik Coromant
- Smiths Industries/GE
- Starragheckert
- Technicut
- Tier two
- Arcam
- ATS
- CG Tech
- DA Stuart
- DIAD
- Dormer
- Footprint Tools
- Machineworks
- Mahers
- Materialise
- Manufacturing Labs Inc.
- Mitsubishi
- Mitutoyo
- MLI
- Nikken
- Optima
- Reliance Gears
- Third Wave Systems
- Timet
- Virtalis
- Westons
How is the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future funded?
- The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future is a capital project that required £5 million of public funding provided by the dti, Yorkshire Forward, EU and Objective 1. This money is matched by almost £10 million from AMRC partner companies over a three-year period. Additional costs will be met by private sector contributions the University of Sheffield and research contracts won. A deliberately cautious estimate of research contracts won ensures that the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future is on a sound financial footing and the predicted growth is eminently achievable. Any excess achieved will result in more staff, research and increased technology transfer.
Why is Boeing making this investment?
- The AMRC's established international reputation
- Over 5000 visitors in CY 2006
- Noted as a unique partnership of academia, industry & government
- Great value for Boeing
- Access to existing £25 million facility and new £15 million Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future for £200k per year contribution
- Minimum of twenty-percent return on research investment
- Intellectual property development in the UK
Why is Rolls-Royce interested in making this investment?
- The continuous development and application of the latest and most advanced manufacturing methods and technologies is the critical enabler to meeting the increasingly challenging aerospace product performance costs and targets. Rolls-Royce feels the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future provides and ideal framework and environment to rapidly develop and apply these technologies at minimum lead times and risk to partner companies.
- Sheffield has a renowned expertise in manufacturing, and in particular new materials. The historic and indigenous knowledge in the region has been carried over to the University of Sheffield who are a world-leader in metallurgy and engineering. The bond between the local industry and the University makes working together an obvious crossover.
- The Factory of the Future will be 4,564m^2 (Office space; laboratory space and workshop floor space).
- The building is completed with the wind turbines to be finished in late February or early March 2008.
What is the progress on the build?
- We have been handed over of keys, and are planning to be in by the end of February 2008.
When will it be open/operational?
- The official opening will likely take place in mid 2008 by a special guest or dignitary. It is likely there will be two events, one for the general public and one for the manufacturing trade press.
What are the environmental features to be incorporated in the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- Sustainable elements of the project that have been specifically designed into the building include:
- Electricity
- Designing the building form to enable good daylight levels (i.e. average daylight factor between 2%-5%)
- Making use of wind energy to provide electricity to heat and light the building and power equipment
- Heating and Cooling
- Orientating the building to reduce summer heat gains
- Position external solar shading on the South facade to reduce solar radiation causing overheating of the internal accommodation
- Avoiding the position of windows on the East and West facade where heat gains are difficult to control
- Selecting external solar shading that enables passive solar radiation to heat the internal office accommodation during winter
- Designing the building form to enable the majority of areas to be naturally ventilated
- Introducing mass into the building to help reduce heating and cooling loads
- Improving and testing the air-tightness of the building to reduce uncontrolled heat losses from infiltration
- Introducing systems that enable surplus energy generated by the wind turbine to be exported back to he national grid
- Using ground source heat pumps to provide heating and cooling, making efficient use of the wind turbine generated electricity
- Water
- Energy meter all primary building services, energy consuming systems and plan
- Avoiding the use of "power hungry" air humidification plant
- Collecting rainwater from the roof and use this for toilet flushing and irrigation on the site
- Using low flow sanitary ware and installing flow regulating devices on all general water outlets
- Introducing mains water leak detection systems on the incoming water mains
- Introducing interceptors into the car park drainage system
- Employing sustainable drainage strategies for surface water run-off from the site
- Ecological
- Using sustainable timber within the building and during the building process
- Enhancing the ecological value of the site through thoughtful landscaping
- Ensure that the contractor minimises construction site impact by the use of the Considerate Constructors Scheme and that they achieve a minimum score of 32
- Designing the building to achieve a "BREEM Excellent" score
- Using zero ozone depleting insulation materials and refrigerants
- Usability
- Developing a building users guide to enable non-technical people to fully understand the operation of the building
- Carrying out post occupancy seasonal commissioning of the building to ensure that all systems are operating correctly and as the design intent
Why a zero carbon footprint?
- The zero carbon footprint represents the goals of our partner companies in making aerospace manufacturing as sustainable a practice as possible.
- The final building design was done by Bond Bryan Architects.
Will the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future only work on the machining of metals?
- Much like the AMRC, machining of hard metals (titanium and nickel alloys) is a large part of what the AMRC does, but it will not be the only thing that is undertaken at the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future. The main difference is that the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future will model, plan and optimize processes in a production cell and then carry out a post examination of materials and cutting tools. Additionally, additive manufacturing techniques such as the Rolls-Royce sponsored Shaped Metal Deposition cell will be further explored.
What are the membership options available for the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future?
- Any company who works in a complementary area or who wishes to participate in the support of our research programs is invited to join the AMRC. Currently there are two types of membership with a third being explored. Please see the AMRC FAQ for full details.
