Advanced Forming Research Centre (SRMDIH)
Overview
Advanced Forming Research Centre’s Scottish Regional Manufacturing Digital Innovation Hub (SRMDIH) is a collaborative venture between the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise, the UK Government and leading multinational engineering firms. It is one of seven technology and innovation centres, which together make up the UK High-Value Manufacturing Catapult and is the only HVM centre located in Scotland, creating an internationally recognised, £125M research programme in Scotland. Formed in 2009, the AFRC is a globally recognised centre of excellence in metal forming research, manufacturing technologies and innovation.
Advanced Forming Research Centre’s Scottish Regional Manufacturing Digital Innovation Hub (SRMDIH)is a not-for-profit hub and led by National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s Advanced Forming Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde. The SMRDIH is based in NMIS’s AFRC and a potential DIH due to the Manufacturing Industry Digital Innovation Hubs- MIDIH project funded by Horizon2020. The SMRDIH provides a new support mechanism for Scottish manufacturing SMEs to enable them to improve productivity and competitiveness and connect into a smart product, smart supply chains and smart factory through the adoption of Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things (CPS/IoT) technologies and circular economy with the cross-cutting elements of digitisation and sustainability. The SMRDIH will focus on activities that include raising awareness of the advantages of CPS/IoT technologies, providing education on and access to CPS/IoT technologies, assistance with raising finance for capital expenditure, and stimulating commercialisation activity amongst manufacturers and suppliers of CPS/IoT equipment.
The SMRDIH is a non for profit hub and led by Advanced Forming Research Centre to provide a new support mechanism for Scottish manufacturing SMEs to enable them to improve productivity and competitiveness and connect into a smart product, smart supply chains and smart factory through the adoption of Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things (CPS/IoT) technologies. The Hub will focus on activities that include raising awareness of the advantages of CPS/IoT technologies, providing education on and access to CPS/IoT technologies, assistance with raising finance for capital expenditure, and stimulating commercialisation activity amongst manufacturers and suppliers of CPS/IoT equipment.
The SMRDIH provides a new support mechanism for Scottish manufacturing SMEs to enable them to improve productivity and competitiveness and connect into a smart product, smart supply chains and smart factory through the adoption of Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things (CPS/IoT) technologies and circular economy with the cross-cutting elements of digitisation and sustainability.
The SMRDIH will create an innovation and collaboration space through working with Scotland Can Do and National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), to empower Scotland to become a world-leading, entrepreneurial, and innovative nation.
The primary focus of the SRMDIH will be to create economic benefit for the region by facilitating the adoption and implementation of CPS/IoT technologies amongst manufacturing SMEs in Scotland. This will involve a three-pronged approach:-
Providing education on and access to CPS/IoT technologies for manufacturing SMEs in Scotland using Manufacturing Skill Academic.
Raising awareness of the advantages of CPS/IoT technologies amongst those manufacturing SMEs throughout Scotland who have not yet considered adopting such technologies for their business. Awareness-raising activities will also target finance providers, as they must be made aware of the need for investment in digital manufacturing technologies.
By identifying where there is a need for new CPS/IoT solutions and providing resources for their development, the DIH will stimulate improved linkages to, and commercialisation activity amongst, manufacturers and suppliers of the ICT Innovation for Manufacturing SMEs I4MS-related equipment within the region.
A broad range of services is envisaged. These can be grouped into five headings as follows:-
Awareness-raising activities — these will also target finance providers, as they must be made aware of the need for investment in digital manufacturing technologies. The NMIS/AFRC’s SRMDIH has launched a series of online webinars to help you develop your skills, enhance your knowledge and be inspired.
Up-to-date events: https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/advancedformingresearchcentre/events/
Education and training — developing and running workshops/short courses on:
CPS/IoT and related digital manufacturing technologies.
Digital business models, encourage SMEs to think differently and consider changing their business model.
Technology demonstrators – practical, relevant examples of CPS/IoT technologies to encourage their adoption and show companies what is possible.
One-to-one support for the adoption of CPS/IoT technologies. This will include:
Initial assessment of the company’s manufacturing operation to determine suitability for CPS/IoT technologies.
Identification of potential commercial solution providers.
Assistance with the specification and implementation of appropriate CPS/IoT solutions.
Assistance with the business case and raising finance for capital expenditure.
5. Stimulation, facilitation and coordination of collaborative research and development projects for new CPS/IoT solutions. Digital technologies.