Advanced Engineering
29 October 2025 - 30 October 2025Join Matt Sellers, AMRC's development engineer, Asimina Manta, AMRC's technical fellow at the Advanced Engineering show for a deep dive into the future of composite manufacturing. Zara-lea Field, workshop technician apprentice at the AMRC Cymru, will be participating as a panelist at the Women in Manufacturing Forum.
Matt Sellers - Braiding and weaving of thermoplastic fibre reinforced tapes
Matt will present the University of Sheffield AMRC Composite Centre's latest development program, showcasing significant advancements in the manufacturing and processing capabilities crucial for this transition. Attendees will gain an exclusive look at the upgrades made to key textile processing equipment, including a dobby weaving loom and radial braider. These enhancements are enabling the production of complex thermoplastic preforms, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
The session will also tackle the real-world challenges encountered when processing thermoplastic tapes and developing robust compression moulding parameters for continuous fibre-reinforced parts, offering valuable solutions and insights. A highlight of the presentation will be the braided thermoplastic demonstrator, providing a first-hand view of the trials, equipment adaptations, and moulding process development outcomes.
Asimina Manta - Invisible Intelligence: Embedded Microwire Sensors for Smart Aerospace Composites
At this session you can discover how advanced sensing technologies are redefining the future of composite manufacturing and lifecycle monitoring. This session will showcase the results of the INFINITE project, which successfully integrated microwire sensors into composite parts to enable real-time monitoring of resin flow, curing, damage, and structural health without compromising mechanical performance.
Attendees will gain insights into the development of low-frequency electromagnetic readers, AI-driven signal analysis, and innovative manufacturing and repair techniques that support a more sustainable, cost-effective aerospace industry. The session will highlight how these sensorised materials can reduce waste, improve quality control, and support predictive maintenance strategies.
Learn from consortium experts how sensor integration can benefit your operations and how collaborative innovation across the UK and EU has driven meaningful progress in composite monitoring and certification pathways.
Both sessions are a must-attend for engineers, manufacturers, and researchers seeking practical knowledge and actionable takeaways to future-proof their composite processes.
Zara-lea Field - Panelist at the Next-Generation Women in Manufacturing: Insights from industry and policy
Zara-lea Field, will be participating as a panelist at the Women in Manufacturing Forum, taking place on 29 October between 3.15pm and 4pm.
Zara-lea Field is a Workshop Technician Apprentice with hands-on experience at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Cymru. She has recently completed her third year of her apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering, and has additional training in welding, robotics, and safety protocols.
This panel brings together early-career women professionals who are forging new paths in the manufacturing sector. Representing both industry and policy perspectives, these emerging leaders will share their experiences navigating a traditionally male-dominated field, discussing the opportunities they have embraced, the challenges they have faced, and the changes they hope to inspire.
Together, they will explore how women’s growing influence is shaping the future of manufacturing—driving innovation, advancing inclusion, and redefining what leadership looks like in the sector.