MTC NCAM
The MTC is 1 of 12 centres set to benefit from the British Government's new funding for high-tech labs.
British Government has pledged £780m of extra funding for high tech labs, including high value manufacturing organisations, such as the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The investment will be shared between 12 organisations across England, Scotland and Wales that make up the Catapult Programme, designed to advance the country’s capabilities to innovate in important markets. This network comprises leaders in business, science and engineering, who collaborate to conduct research and development, and then commercialise it.
With the recent investment, the catapult centres will focus on a number of projects, including one that will look to commercialise a hybrid manufacturing process that combines 3D printing and computer controlled machining. Other high value manufacturing projects include a new tool manufacturing process and the development of medical devices to cure common causes of blindness.
“In their first five years, the catapults have supported around 3,000 small businesses to develop and exploit new technologies,” said Dr Ian Campbell, Interim Executive Chair of Innovate UK. “They operate more than £850m world-class facilities and are also training hundreds of apprenticeships and doctoral students, such as at the High Value Manufacturing Catapult where in the last year 900 apprentices have gained invaluable practical experience with cutting-edge technologies used in modern manufacturing.”
It is hoped that this investment will help to address the Grand Challenges of the Industrial Strategy, which came in for some criticism last year for its lack of focus on additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Through this latest wave of funding, however, the MTC, AMRC, and Warwick Manufacturing Group, will all benefit, and all house a wealth of AM technology.
“We are a nation of innovators, creators and entrepreneurs,” commented Greg Clark, UK Business Secretary. “This government wants to make the UK the most innovative nation in the world and the investment in our world leading catapult network will play a key role in building on UK strengths, bringing new ideas and products to market, and helping drive local economies across the UK.”
“[This] £780m investment will support innovators across the country to create the technologies of the future, and the better, highly-paid jobs we urgently need,” added Phillip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Since the £780m has been divided by region, MTC and WMG in the West Midlands will get a share of £270.9m, while AMRC in Yorkshire will get a share of £126.7m. Other areas to profit are the North East, South East, South West, Greater London, Cardiff in Wales, and Strathclyde in Scotland.
