Plastics, which can be moulded into almost any shape or form, offer seemingly endless possibilities for manufacturers and product developers. This makes them a popular choice within the industry – and means much of the research undertaken by the Exeter Technologies Group, of which CALMARE is a part, focuses on these highly functional materials.
The widespread use of plastics inspired CALMARE’s first knowledge exchange workshop, entitled an Introduction to Plastics. Aimed at product developers from a range of backgrounds, who are not always materials specialists, the workshop was designed as an introduction to the topic, providing a basic grounding in plastics, from a materials and a processing standpoint. The event also showcased the cutting edge research being undertaken by the group as a whole, within major industries such as automotive and aerospace.
The first part of the workshop encompassed presentations from CALMARE experts about materials structure, the testing facilities and options utilised by the University and about different processing techniques, including injection and compression moulding. Tim Marsden from the British Plastics Federation, a supporting partner of CALMARE, gave a presentation about the UK plastics industry, including recycling statistics and how the country compares to the rest of Europe. In the afternoon, delegates toured the group’s facilities, including the Additive Layer Manufacturing suite, and participated in hands on activities, to get a better understanding of how different materials behave and the processing options available.
CALMARE Business Engagement Specialist Stuart Monk, who is responsible for the delivery of the centre’s workshops, said: “The workshop enabled us to educate businesses in the fundamentals that they may want a refresher in, or may not even know. We decided to start from scratch, saying these are the options available, this is why you would use this process over this processing route. It puts product developers in a better position for when they are talking to the manufacturers.”
Attendees at the first workshop included product development companies, plastics manufacturers, consultants, and manufacturing groups. For the qualifying SMEs, the workshop formed six hours of a 12 hour free business assist for each company, with the charges met through de minimis state aid funding, via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Stuart said: “The workshops are a great opportunity not only to generate discussions among the companies, but also to encourage a dialogue between industry and the other researchers within our wider research team (Exeter Technologies Group), and the rest of the University.”
Stuart said: “Our plan is to sit down with each of the companies who attended in turn and work out what further support we can provide them. For instance, they might decide that they want us to carry out some specific research into something they’re working on at the moment, in terms of materials development or sustainability.
“For instance, one of the product developers who attended wants us to help him select materials and processing routes that he can take to companies. It gives him some steer, rather than having to ask companies for their complete input. It allows him to go to his manufacturer in a more educated position. Another company wants us to test specific materials – either their physical properties, or characterising them to show what’s in them, so they can ensure their paperwork is up to date. It gives the businesses a chance to tap into the state of the art facilities that we have here.”
CALMARE has a further workshop, on waste management and recycling, planned for May and will invite external speakers to talk about how they manage their waste, whether through re-use or recycling. The centre also plans a series of evening workshops with the University’s Business School’s Innovation Research Group. Entitled Shattering the Myths of Innovation, the events are scheduled for April, May and June. Stuart said: “We are hosting the events in collaboration with the Business School, with Dr Allen Alexander chairing the event. He works in the University’s Centre for Innovation Studies, which is one of the leaders in this field of work, with the Centre liaising closely with local and national businesses of all sizes to help them understand how they can implement new ideas.
“While, within CALMARE, we’re using our technical expertise to help companies, the Business School can offer an insight into the theoretical side of things, for example, how companies can think in new ways regarding material development, sustainability and recycling. So, people should come out of the workshops with some new ideas on how they can implement their own technology products and services.”
For details of future workshops, follow us on Twitter @CALMARE_EXETER, or visit the events page on our website www.exeter.ac.uk/calmare