The joint PEI collaboration here in South Yorkshire between IET / IMechE  / ICE and recently the ICHemE once again create an excellent event.On the evening of the 15th February 2018 both the IET & IMechE members of the SY joint PEI committee set up a visit to the  AMRC IMG Factory 2050.

Liaising over quite some time in 2017, we finally agreed a visit for both members and the general public to see one of the most advanced manufacturing research establishments in the UK.

Interest in this event was very high so the limit of 40 attendees was infact fully subscribed by the latter part of 2017.

Following an introductory welcome by Alan Chater,  Ben Morgan the Head of Manufacturing at IMG Boeing / Factory 2050 gave an excellent presentation about the development history of the site and then the  facility as it now operates today.

The use of VR now augments the extensive precision design of components with are used in high tech industries such as the Aviation and Automotive sectors.

Robots abound across the site and deliver extensive improvements to productivity performance on a considerable scale when looking at current techniques still abundant in many companies within the manufacturing sector.


One particular 'stand out' operation was access by SME's to their 'Reconfigurable Factory Research Cell'  described by their Operations Manager Chris Greaves 

"as a cell that will be able to accommodate projects spanning the trialling of new robotic assembly techiques for mass customisation or even small batch manufacturing techniqes, small component assembly, finish machining and polishing operations" (http://www.amrc.co.uk/news/access-to-world-class-facilities-at-amrc-factory-2050-made-easier-for-smes-with-opening-of-new-reconfigurable-factory-research)


Of particular note is the 'super car' manufacturer Mclaren have recently opened their £50million manufacturing facility to create chassis manufacture from composites for their future range of their 'very expensive' cars. This will undoubtedly bring in other investing supply chain and possibly other big named companies, to this site.


Many attending commented they'd thoroughly enjoyed the visit and subject to agreement with IMG, we'll try to run this event again at a later date for those who couldn't make it on this occasion.