Leading UK research and innovation centre, the Materials Processing Institute, is enhancing its capabilities with the creation of a new group that will help support organisations with the challenges brought about by the digital revolution.
The newly launched Digital Technologies Group is made up of experts in measurement, monitoring, systems, data and control, who will bring together the application of data and the latest technologies from a variety of sources to support the enhancement of clients’ products, services and processes.
The group will support the implementation of the current digital revolution, commonly known as Industry 4.0, into company’s activities. Industry 4.0 focuses on the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies and processes.
It will be led by Chris Oswin, under the overall direction of Gerard Stephens, Director, Operations at the Materials Processing Institute.
Gerard Stephens said: “Digital technologies are an area of expertise for the Institute and recently there has been an increased level of interest and requests for support from clients and industry. This has resulted in bringing this area of focus together into a single group to support clients and be better positioned to support and respond to the national and international challenges of digitalisation.
“Through in-house experience, collaborations and partnerships we will bring together high-level expertise to achieve optimum outcomes.”
The Materials Processing Institute is a research and innovation centre supporting organisations that work in advanced materials, low carbon energy and the circular economy. It is recognised as a leading research centre for the global steel industry, with expertise in the development and upscaling of materials and industrial processes.
Chris Oswin, Digital Technologies Group Manager, added: “Utilisation and development of digital technologies to support clients is not new to the Institute, in fact it has been done for many years for specific research projects, but the focus of the Digital Technologies Group will further enhance and co-ordinate this level of support.”
Photo: (L-R) Gerard Stephens and Chris Oswin