Are traditional centralised and hierarchical structures too cumbersome for the digital age? Would a radical (and controversial) view to solving the shop-floor scheduling and control problem be better? With the rise of digital manufacturing technologies and Industry 4.0, many are considering whether current methods for scheduling and controlling (and ultimately decision making) will be able […]
The DMF lab has just secured an EPSRC grant for funding! Led by Prof. Hicks, Chris Snider, and Aydin Nassehi, we’ve secured £1.6 million to study the creation of seamless digital / physical prototypes over the next four years starting August this year. There will be lots of new information, research, technology, and hardware coming […]
Using physical objects when prototyping has enormous benefits and affords tangibility and presence that are lacking from digital files. However creating prototypes takes time and money, this project is investigating how construction kits and additive manufacture can be combined to add flexibility and reconfigurability into this process. Project Lead: David Mathias
3D printing has the potential to revolutionise the way we consume goods. The technology should be able to facilitate low-cost, personal manufacture but complex design software and a lack technical knowledge prevent this from happening. Without the ability to generate or amend digital models it is impossible to reap the benefits offered by 3D printing. […]
Welcome to the new Design and Manufacturing Futures Lab website.