Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is to receive £16 million to establish FUSE-M, a business-facing innovation facility where organisations can access immersive technologies, AI and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The funding has been allocated by the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund, which comes from the latest round of investment from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
Located in Hulme, Manchester, UK, the 1,600 sqm FUSE-M (Future User-centred Simulation, Enterprise and Manufacturing) facility will allow organisations to test and adopt emerging technologies. It brings together manufacturing expertise from MMU's additive manufacturing facility PrintCity, and Centre for Digital Modelling and Analysis for Cultural Heritage (D-MACH) facility, alongside creative and digital expertise from the University's School of Digital Arts (SODA), and innovation and business support from its Centre for Enterprise.
Carl Diver, Professor of Innovative Manufacturing at Manchester Metropolitan University, added: "By aligning Fuse-M with Greater Manchester’s focus on technology adoption and productivity, and the emphasis on digitalisation and advanced manufacturing, we are excited to bring companies on a journey from immersive exploration and simulation through to physical validation, adoption and business impact, allowing rapid turnaround prototyping."
The new facility is expected to support hundreds of businesses to develop capabilities and skills in simulation, digital modelling, immersive technologies, digital twins, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities.
The initial five-year programme includes an initial design and construction phase, with business support, demonstrations and collaborative projects planned for years three to five. Industry partners already on board the project include Siemens, HP, Matsuura, TEKEVER and The Vita Group and will work alongside key regional innovation assets including Atom Valley, Manchester Science Park and the Henry Royce Institute.
Carlo Harvey, Professor of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, said, "From digital possibility to proven real-world value, FUSE-M will support Greater Manchester’s strengths in Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Digital, Cyber and AI, and Creative Industries.
"The facility will also create new opportunities for collaboration between businesses, researchers, students and communities, supporting the development of higher-value products, more productive processes and future-ready skills.”
