Prototwinning
In all engineering disciplines a combination of digital and physical models is necessary to support the progression of the design process, with each model and iteration thereof generating new understanding and knowledge to inform decision-making.
A huge amount of work goes into managing these models, transferring between the physical and digital worlds, updating designs, and trying to align the information that each model and prototype provides.
But imagine instead that all models were intelligently linked across the digital and physical worlds. Where design changes in any model automatically update the others. Where test results are automatically shared and integrated wherever they are most useful. Where the physical world and digital world in engineering grow together and take the best of both, with no need for systems or work to bridge the gap between.
Prototwinning is a 5-year program in which we are seeking to develop the next generation of fully integrated digital / physical models and systems, facilitating seamless transition between them.
Prototwinning Projects
Recent Prototwinning Posts
Research internship investigating BCI applications in engineering design
Written by Louise Larsson Summary of project and intended outcomes In my individual research project this term I investigated potential alternative user interfaces for computer-aided design, CAD, software and brain-computer interfaces in particular. That is looking into the prospects of making designing more intuitive and accessible by introducing brain control to the design process in […]
To twin or not twin and when is a twin not a twin?
Ben and James attended the Southwest Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP) workshop on Digital Twins to help answer what a twin is and when to twin. Their presentation provides a potted history of the Digital Twin, examples from the mechanical, aerospace and manufacturing industries and some thoughts on motivations for twinning. If you want to learn more […]
Welcoming our Summer Interns
On Monday we officially welcomed a cohort of five summer interns to the DMF lab. These include Lousie Larsson, Oliver Shiffmann, Lloyd Cleary-Richards, Adam McClenaghan and William Murray. They will be working together on projects ranging from Brain Controlled Interfaces for Design; Gesture-driven CAD and Quantum-enabled configuration design tools. If you would like more information […]
Augmented Prototyping – Reconfigurable, functional interfaces for real-time user customisation
How can your users understand how a product will work before it’s been made? How can they understand what it will feel like to use, and how can they tell you how they would like it to work? As part of our work on Augmented Prototyping – using immersive technologies to create the next generation […]
PCA Toolkit V2
Version 2 of the PCA toolkit is shown in the picture below. It contains a number of updates with new products and initiatives designed to contribute towards a safe transition out of lockdown. For more information about each entry please see below the picture. A PDF version of the toolkit can be downloaded with this […]
Mask Design @ La Universidad de Los Andes
From August to December 2020 the PCA team were working in collaboration with la Universidad de Los Andes in supporting students who were developing innovative, improved mask designs for minimising viral spread on public transport as part of their Proyecto Intermedio. The project spanned 16 weeks broken down into 4×4 week sprints with a review […]
Vaccine Distribution Solutions in collaboration with La Universidad de Los Andes
The Project Clean Access team are working in collaboration with La Universidad de Los Andes in Bogota to develop innovative cold-storage distribution solutions that could assist in delivering vaccines to the most remote areas of Colombia. The challenges in achieving this are significant due to Colombia’s diverse landscapes (including rainforest, desert and mountains), significant climate […]
Mechanical occupancy counter – 3D printed
Limiting the number of people inside a shop or venue can help to maintain social distancing. This 3D printed mechanical counter can be placed in the doorway of a shop or other venue to count the number of people inside. The parts list, instructions, and 3D files to build your own counter are available here: Instructables […]
Ultrasonic occupancy counter with Arduino and HC-SR04
Limiting the number of people inside a shop or venue can help to maintain social distancing. This simple Arduino project can be placed in the doorway of a shop or other venue to count the number of people inside. The parts list, instructions, and code for building your own counter are available here: Instructables We […]