A ground-breaking partnership scheme designed to collaborate with manufacturers to future-proof their operations has signed up its first business, a Swansea-based OEM of inspection and testing equipment for critical infrastructure: Eddyfi Technologies.
The MADE (Manufacture for Advanced Design Engineering) project is a suite of EU-funded projects being delivered by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Centre for Advanced Batch Manufacture (CBM), supporting industry to upskill and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies.
The MADE team is now working closely with Eddyfi Technologies, which has its UK headquarters in Swansea, to help the company further develop its Floormap™ technology. This equipment is typically used to detect corrosion on storage tanks floors in the oil and gas industry.
Eddyfi Technologies offers high-performance electromagnetic solutions for the inspection of critical components and assets in oil and gas, aerospace, and pipeline applications.
The Advanced Design Engineering aspect of the MADE project sees the CBM team help manufacturers identify specific problems they are encountering within their operations, or with a particular piece of equipment or technology, or they can find opportunities to introduce advanced technologies to help streamline operations. Then, viable solutions will be investigated and piloted, before being rolled out to effect lasting change.
Eddyfi Technologies’ principal scientist/product manager, Professor Neil Pearson, said: “We are pleased to be working with MADE to refine our Floormap technology. We have had preliminary discussions with the team to talk through some manufacturing enhancements that would benefit this technology when it comes to investigating the inner surface of storage tanks. The environment where this technology is used is hazardous and, in certain conditions, the sensor housing can come into contact with the floor. This means we need a sensor casing with high strength and abrasion resistance with sub-millimetre thickness to maintain measurement sensitivity.”
Professor Pearson continues: “It has been helpful to have the very responsive CBM team on hand in Swansea, to meet face to face, allowing us to talk through these specific issues in fine detail and investigate solutions that could be effective and practical to our operations.”
“It is integral to our business that we are always evolving, to meet the needs of our clients, to embrace new methods and technologies in order to remain at the cutting edge of our industry. The need to progress in order to remain competitive in an increasingly demanding marketplace is at the forefront of the minds of all manufacturers in Wales and I would encourage others to get in touch with the MADE team to discuss how they may be able to help.” adds Professor Pearson.
Luca Pagano, Senior Research Engineer on the Advanced Design Engineering Project, said: “We are pleased to be working with Eddyfi Technologies on their Floormap equipment. The CBM team is experienced in finding real-life solutions to unique problems faced by manufacturers within their operations, across all areas of industry.
“These are challenging times for manufacturing in Wales, and we are seeing rapid changes unfolding in the world of technology, which can offer real bottom line benefits. The MADE initiative offers a smart suite of collaborative projects, providing vital tools for manufacturers who are determined to be well-equipped for the future.
“We are talking to a number of other manufactures in Wales who are keen for us to consult with them on specific products, or to help them iron out inefficiencies within their processes that are hampering operations. We would encourage manufacturers to get in touch with the MADE team to find out how we can work together to benefit them.”
The MADE project is being offered to qualifying organisations in Wales as an integrated portfolio, to help manufacturers understand the challenges they face and how they can respond to them, by tapping into disruptive technologies and training, appropriate for their businesses.
This project has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.