Specialist Centres
Introduction
The renaissance of UK's automotive industry over the past decade is well recorded. Inward investment from Japan, North America, mainland Europe and Korea have transformed the vehicle manufacturing segment, whilst investment by global Tier 1 companies such as TRW, Federal Mogul, Johnson Controls, Lear Corporation, Magneti Marelli, Denso, Visteon, Delphi and Thyssen has had a similar positive effect on the quality of the supplier base. Some 7,000 automotive component companies operate in the UK, 90% of which are SMEs
There is growing global demand for the design and engineering skills of UK-based companies such as MSX International, Hawtal Whiting, Ricardo, Tickford, TWR Engineering, Millbrook Proving Ground and the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA). The capabilities of Cosworth Technology and Lotus Engineering have been recognised in the most direct way through their acquisition by VW (through Audi) and Proton.
Britain leads the world in the provision of advanced technology in motorsport engineering. Constructors including McLaren, Williams, Benetton, Stewart, BAR, Jordan, Lola, Prodrive and Reynard and engine designers and manufacturers such as Cosworth, Ilmor and Hart are all based in the UK, meeting the requirements of teams in Formula 1, CART, Formula 3000, the World Rally Championship, GT and Touring Cars.
Supporting all this activity, not only in the provision of education but also with advanced research into all aspects of vehicle, powertrain, component and materials engineering are around 50 Universities and other 'centres of excellence' around the UK. The AutoIndustry team has selected 36 of these to be featured on the site and each institution has agreed its entry and checked the information to be sure it is up-to-date.
Information provided includes contact details, summaries of education and research specialities, course details, student numbers, programme data, research activities, research facilities, key individuals and their responsibilities, research undertaken for clients and collaborations with industry and other universities, both domestic and international.
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Aerodynamics
Cambridge, Cranfield, Durham, Hertfordshire and Oxford Brookes Universities have scale wind tunnel facilities and undertake research into aerodynamics, much of it for UK's world dominant motorsport engineering industry. Loughborough has developed a low speed vehicle aerodynamics wind tunnel with completion in October 2001.
Alternative fuels
Centres of excellence undertaking research into alternative fuels - principally hydrogen, methanol and biofuels derived from crop residues - include Imperial College, Bath, Glasgow Caledonian,Loughborough, Oxford Brookes and Surrey Universities, the University of East Anglia and University College, London.
Chassis
Work on vehicle dynamics including ride and handling; brake and tyre design and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is undertaken by the Universities of Leeds, Southampton, Birmingham, Coventry, Loughborough, Cranfield and Hertfordshire. In particular, Southampton University's Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR), and Cranfield University have a developing global reputation and increasingly provides specialist training courses for vehicle and component manufacturers.
Design
The UK has three centres specialising in industrial and aesthetic design as it relates to the automotive industry. The Royal College of Art has been running its world-renowned vehicle design course for some 30 years and its postgraduate courses are project or thesis based. Amongst its former students are some of the world's leading and most influential designers. Coventry University's first degree course is more recently established but has gained a growing reputation through which its graduates are already taking senior positions in the design departments of global vehicle manufacturers. Finally, the University of East London provides courses in easthetic design, particularly for Ford Motor Company.
Electronics
The University of East Anglia is one of several universities in UK that specialises in advanced electronics for automotive applications. Other centres of excellence, with their specific research interests, include:
Emissions
From the membership of UNICEG, seven centres (Brunel, Cambridge and Glasgow Caledonian Universities, Imperial College, University College, London, Loughborough and Queen's University, Belfast) undertake advanced research into diesel and gasoline engine emissions. Cranfield engaged extensively in combustion process and combustion chemistry research.
Ergonomics and human factors
The skills of Loughborough University's ergonomics research group have been internationally recognised and Fiat acknowledges the input made by the University into the Punto, Brava and Bravo models. Cranfield and Sheffield Universities are the other leading centres in this area.
Manufacturing and process engineering
Research into cellular manufacturing and high-speed CNC machining of automotive components is undertaken at Birmingham University, Loughborough University and the University of East London. Leeds, Bradford and Warwick Universities undertake research into other manufacturing processes and technologies. The University of Oxford specialises in research into the complexity of manufacturing systems, particularly in press shop analysis and Cranfield University is researching machinery noise control.
Materials
Four Universities specialise in research into advanced composites - Cambridge, Oxford Brookes,Loughborough and Plymouth. Warwick University undertakes specialist research into the structural analysis of hybrid body structures (e.g. aluminium frame with composite or plastic panels, as used on vehicles such as the Espace and Multipla MPVs and the MCC Smart). Cranfield works extensively with race teams in composite materials, structure design and crash worthiness issues - often with Cranfield Impact Centre.
Motorsport engineering
Two centres - Oxford Brookes University and the Swansea Institute of Higher Education - have introduced first degree courses that specialise in meeting the needs of Britain's motorsport industry. Both are sponsored and supported by competition car constructors and the Motorsport Industries Association (MIA). Many of the other centres have research links with individual motorsport companies across a range of technology areas, particularly electronic systems, aerodynamics and engine design. Engineering undergraduates can gain first-hand experience of the teamwork and engineering challenges involved in the design and construction of a racing car through the annual Formula Student competition. New for 2000 - 2001 M.Sc Course in Motorsport Engineering and Management, at Cranfield, see www.motorsport.cranfield.ac.uk.
Powertrain
Every aspect of research and development of the internal combustion engine, transmission design and powertrain implications is addressed by centres of excellence in the UK. Much of this work takes place within the collaboration between the universities and industry - now over 30 years old - known as the Universities' Internal Combustion Engine Group (UNICEG) details of which are in the 'University Collaboration' section.
Rapid prototyping
Research into the rapid prototyping of components is undertaken by the University of Central England, Queens University Belfast and the Universities of Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, and Warwick. These and other centres also supply a rapid prototyping service to the automotive industry.
Vehicle and pedestrian safety
The universities of Birminghamand Loughborough contain a world renowned Auto Safety Centre, whilst Coventry, Cranfield, Hertfordshire, Nottingham, Warwick, the University of East Anglia and UMIST undertake research into subjects as diverse as convoy sensing and materials behaviour in crash simulation.
Supply chain management
The Universities of Birmingham, Cardiff, Coventry, Central England and Liverpool John Moores are all working with vehicle manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers to increase the efficiency of their supply chains.
Acknowledgement
The material in this section is drawn from a report researched for the DTI Automotive Unit by:
De Montfort Automotive
3 The Quadrant
Coventry
CV1 2DY
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Introduction
