Digital Technology Internships

A fibreglass moulding company, established for over 30 years. Creating applications for GRP mouldings for most industries. More widely known in the automotive trade supplying many products to the commercial vehicle industry and offer large-scale production capacity producing high quality GRP mouldings (fibreglass) to customer requirements. The in-house pattern making facilities gives the capability to work closely with the customer during the development stage of new products, ensuring that any changes can be made prior to the moulds being manufactured. Specialising in moulding quality GRP products to bespoke requirements.

Implement a digital design function including CAD and CAD/CAM capabilities Transform a paper-based design process into a digital design process (CAD) with associated benefits to automate designs into manufacture via integrated software (CAD/CAM). This fits in with the strategy of digitalisation to keep the company competitive in the market and meet customer demands. The systems to be implemented are likely to be Solidworks and SolidCAM or other similar CAD/CAM systems First 4 weeks •Learn the current paper design process by working with employees •Implement the new CAD/CAM software systems in-house and set them up in the best configuration to work with the design jobs •Begin to digitise existing paper designs Weeks 5 – 8 •Begin knowledge transfer/upskilling employees in using the new CAD system •Using a train, the trainer approach, assist current employees to continue work on digitising existing paper designs Weeks 9 – 12 •Begin knowledge transfer/upskilling employees in using the new CAM system •Using a train, the trainer approach, assist current employees to process design work through to machining using the new system

The client design and deliver toolmaking and provide injection moulding services. Their portfolio of clients is broad, but their key markets include defence, automotive and other industrial blue-chip customers. In addition to their injection moulding services, through their class-leading, in house tool room they commission over 60 Injection Mould tools every year and all are covered by the companies ground-breaking 10-year warranty. They are extremely quality conscious, and system focused.

Investigate and recommend best practice programmes to support: 1) Proactive approach to packaging design, leading to reduced costs, less errors. Whilst the choice of potential commercial software solutions is limited, at least one solution has already been identified that warrants further investigation and will form the starting point of the proof of value exercise. 2) Automation of quotation and other processes using DriveWorks add on to Solidworks CAD system. Whilst the software extension to SolidWorks is well established (there are 3 levels of solution), the merits of each and relevance to current and future needs will form part of the evaluation process.

Building on a reputation for quality and service dating back to 1888, especially for home cooked meats, the company still manufacture the finest full muscle products, surpassing the quality of competitors whilst keeping the price comparable. They work closely with all their customers to provide a bespoke service enabling their business to offer unique products to their exact specifications. They do this by combining traditional methods and recipes which have been passed from generation to generation with new technology and ideas. They have a large and varied customer base, mainly operating in the food service industry, and also have their own factory shop brand and store locations.

The company has started an extensive project to digitalise it’s production management system, including full end to end stock control. Future plans to continue digitalisation across other departments, areas and applications. The internship project will focus on the post-implementation roll out of the shop floor data collection system and completing/closing out any snagging issues.

A leading robotic integrator specialising in machining applications based in Liverpool City Region. Diverse client base including creative industries, electric vehicle manufacturers, space, defence, general manufacturing, research, and education. They are a platinum system integration partner for KUKA robots and the only UK distributor of HITECO products in the UK. Accredited to ISO9001, ISO14001 and adhere to EMC, LVD and machinery directives, CE, UKCA, and UL. Recognised as the go-to provider for robotic machining, they are now also developing a range of products for robotic assisted additive and hybrid manufacturing

When planning new data systems, the client want to ensure they work seamlessly together. This project will focus on researching and recommending data management and system tools to digitally enhance customer relationships and project management. The current CRM will not be fit for purpose as the company grows and we have a 3 month window to research & find best fit data management tools for CRM before the current licence runs out. They also want to introduce a right fit project management tool that would integrate with the CRM tool so researching the two areas and how they can best integrate to create a consolidated data management system is key. Data visualisation would also be a consideration – making dashboard(s) for easy visual analysis aiding collaborative decisions. The client is an advanced hi tech company offering robotics solutions to their customers. This project will bring latest technology and digital solutions to the business processes and bring them inline with their customer solutions.

A family run business based in Stockport. They manufacture low protein foods for people with inborn errors of metabolism which effect roughly 1/10’000 people in the UK. In the UK the vast majority of their products are available via the NHS. Their products range from dried pasta, flavoured pasta sachets, breads, baking mixes, through to snacks and soups. All satisfy the needs of people with phenylketonuria (PKU) which is the body’s inability to breakdown protein.

The project will involve learning about all current sources of data collected including the data stream from the new machine; evaluating how effective the current methods of managing that data are and researching the best way to integrate the different data sets/systems to enable best use of the data to inform Production planning and management. Data visualisation would also be a key consideration – making dashboard(s) for easy visual analysis aiding collaborative decisions. The project will work with the current data systems that are fragmented and enable them to be integrated to produce useful holistic data in the form of Production Dashboards showing accurate performance data.

A Lancashire based bespoke timber, and fire door manufacturing company, supplying mainly to contractors and sub-contractors. They hold a number of accreditations including: BM Trada; Certifire; Certisecure; FSC; ISO. Ensuring they offer products with full certification. They are continuously improving processes, products and service and this project will enable them to maximise the benefits of their bespoke system and make some system improvements.

Project Overview: This project will focus on Data Management and System Improvements to the Bespoke Quoting/Operations/Scheduling Management System. The system is live so the development work is Post-implementation. This includes making amendments to the current system, and developing new ideas into the system. The work plan: Week 1 - 4 Learn the bespoke system and then work to make the documented system improvements Week 5 - 8 Continue with any required improvements/amendments to the current system and work with the Pendle Doors team to develop new ideas into the system Week 9 - 12 Work to prepare the system for shop floor data collection (including the use of tablets/devices on the shop floor) Timings in the workplan are based on full time hours over 12 weeks although part time hours will be considered. Support will be available from the developer that created the bespoke system to assist with learning how the system is currently working.

A British manufacturer of Premium stationery and accessories. Founded in 2011, their focus is on manufacturing and retailing a timeless collection of tools for the journey that combine the precision of advanced manufacturing with the soul of craft. Over the next 5 years, their focus is to continue to grow the company into an internationally celebrated design and manufacturing brand while enhancing their in-house production capabilities. Over the next 3 years they aim to develop products and services that utilize advanced technology that enables on-demand production and to invest in producing a wider and more expansive set of items.

This project will involve an analysis of our current product engineering and design and explore the application of additive manufacturing techniques. The first phase of this project will be to explore all four areas detailed below and analyse the opportunities of each and the potential of the technology to enhance, productivity, quality and design or reduce environmental impact, cost, waste, or time.