The Advanced Forming Research Centre, at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, was host to the Scottish regional meeting of the CMF in March. Following a very good meeting, during which attendees were able to hear an update from CMF on industry trends and business related matters as well as network with colleagues from foundries and supplier companies, there was a very constructive discussion on additive manufacturing and its adoption by the industry.
Members and guests of the Federation were then able to see the AFRC’s work, which covers the entire product development cycle – from material testing and characterisation through to industry standard manufacturing trials and product tests.
The centre is involved in world leading metal forming and forging research. It’s at the heart of manufacturing innovation and research & development in Scotland and is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
Whist focusing on forging and forming, as Alaster McDonach, Knowledge Exchange Practitioner at the AFRC explained, “we also require shaped feedstock and this is where casting can play a role in enabling us to meet near net shape manufacturing at least cost.”
