Cardiff leads microcomponent manufacturing project

Experts at Cardiff University's Manufacturing Engineering Centre are to lead two major European projects.

Experts at Cardiff University's Manufacturing Engineering Centre are to lead two major European projects, one that will develop the manufacture of microcomponents in the future (4M) and another that will transform the way in which all production is carried out (I*Proms).

30 European organisations will form a European Network of Excellence in Multi-Material Micro Manufacture (4M).

The 4M Network aims to advance the technology base for scale-manufacture of microsystems for use in personal, portable and wireless devices and in sensors for lifestyle, health and transport-related applications.

These microsystems are important to Europe's industrial and economic future with the global market for microtechnologies valued at Eur 40 billion growing at 20% per annum, and a European market for products containing microsystems of Eur 550 billion.

Dr Stefan Dimov, Operations Director of the Manufacturing Engineering Centre, said: "Micro and nanotechnology will impact society and lifestyles in an unprecedented way; the economic consequences will be dramatic".

"The network will bring together over 150 researchers, state-of-the-art facilities exceeding Eur 110 million and a combined portfolio of research and development programmes in excess of Eur 63 million".

Minister for Economic Development and Transport, Andrew Davies said: "The Welsh Assembly Government wants to encourage companies and institutions in Wales to develop expertise in niche markets".

"This is another example of the Welsh higher education sector leading the way on a European level and developing a modern and innovative manufacturing sector".

Also launched by the centre is the newly established Network of Excellence for Innovative Production Machines and Systems (I*PROMS), with an overall budget of Eur 7.5 million to take an integrated approach to production research to overcome its current fragmentation.

Professor Duc-Truong Pham, Director of the Manufacturing Engineering Centre said: "The network will integrate the activities of all leading EU research institutions in the field of production research".

"This will enable I*PROMS to cover all future research priorities in the field without being prematurely restricted to particular, narrow topics that could lose their significance with time".

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