The UK has launched the Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), an advanced production facility
The initiative is partly funded by the UK Government, via South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP).
The 2,000-m2 facility, located at Silverstone Park, has been designed from the ground up to harness the power of connectivity and, eventually, artificial intelligence to enable frontier industries.
DMC is expected to play a key role in building STEM skills within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and be an integral part of the UK’s advanced engineering supply chain to help ‘level up’ Britain’s industry in the post-Brexit and post-pandemic era.
SEMLEP director of programmes Judith Barker added “It’s fantastic to come together to celebrate the launch of this innovative facility, set to add over £9M (US$12M) of market value to the area, create new jobs, apprenticeship opportunities and assist businesses. Another fantastic facility has been added to Silverstone Park at the centre of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.”
Sustainable technology development is a specific area of focus and with many sectors looking at significant shifts in technology, product development, increased competition and rising demand for advanced, low-carbon products, the DMC is set to play a key role in enabling innovations in sectors ranging from aerospace, oil and gas, to the maritime industry.
DMC chief executive Kieron Salter said “While we have been operating at a limited capacity on a select few customer projects, we are now opening the doors and offering these unprecedented capabilities to the wider industry.
“When we first looked around at the existing AM market, there was a clear lack of engineering collaboration, focus and support. Parts were being made, but suppliers had little practical engineering input or capability. We set out to bridge that gap by focusing on engineering for the application and production of end-use ready parts. Now, we offer a truly end-to-end solution that will enable innovators in the UK and abroad to really push the boundaries, whether that be launching satellites or beating lap records.”
DMC is collaborating with significant industry and technology partners including Renishaw, Beckhoff, Spectroplast, DyeMansion, DMG Mori, Enable Manufacturing and the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Produmax, an aerospace specialist is another partner and a Produmax satellite with be present at the DMC site. Silverstone University Technical College and other local universities and colleges will work with DMC to help improve graduate skills and industry knowledge.
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