Advanex Use KTP With Nottingham University To Expand Deep Drawn Capabilities
The team Advanex have recently highlighted the success of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Nottingham.
Part of the Advanex Group’s international growth plans involved the acquisition of a Japanese company specializing in deep drawing, an advanced metal – forming process. Since the acquisition, a key focus for Advanex was to transfer deep drawn production from the Japanese company to Advanex Europe.
Advanex have worked alongside the University through a two year KTP to develop our deep drawn expertise as we develop new markets and improve our sources of competitive advantage. The KTP was an Innovate UK funded programme designed to help companies improve their productivity and skills bases.
Managing Director, Ian Beardsmore highlights, “Our KTP with the University of Nottingham has enabled the successful transfer of this to Europe and developed our relationship with our Japanese colleagues to support this technology. We are now in a far stronger position to offer deep drawn products to key markets such as aerospace, automotive and medical. We have ambitious growth plans for the next 5 years and developing deep drawn business is an integral part of our strategy ”.
Image 1: A selection of deep drawn products
The original aim of the KTP was to develop and embed a simulation/scientific-based approach to design for the tooling and manufacture of metal components in order to optimise flow and minimise defects. The KTP achieved a working Finite Element Analysis model of multi-stage deep drawing. This gave an understanding of the effects of each material and tooling parameter on the deep drawing process, alongside existing practical experience from Japan. This enabled a template to be created that allows easy design of tooling to manufacture customer-specific parts.
For more information please contact pressoffice@advanex.co.uk