Engineering

The Unit was established in May 2002 with the inception of the first European Regional Development Funded (ERDF)-Project, Lancaster Virtual Prototyping. In its early stages, the Unit gathered momentum and worked hard to publicise itself, being a key part of the Third Mission which was earnestly rolling-out across campus.

By the middle of 2003, the Virtual Prototyping Project was well underway, delivering against the targets and helping to embed the activities of the Unit within those of the Department and the University. As the original VP Project drew to a close in 2004, an extension was successfully obtained from the ERDF in Objective Two Transitional Areas (which now no longer exist). At this point, the funding diversity of the Unit widened with its first European Social Fund (ESF) Project in collaboration with Preston College, called the Construction and Design Innovation Project.

The delivery of the ESF Project continued alongside a third phase of ERDF funding as part of the Knowledge Based Action Plan up until the end of 2006. Continued funding was secured as part of the Regional Action Plan with the CAS:CADE (Consultancy and Support: Computer Aided Design and Engineering) Project which allowed the assistance to SMEs to continue in earnest.

As the CAS:CADE Project came to fruition, the Unit began developing a more robust research arm alongside its core business support activity. This complimented the work already being undertaken and allowed an outlet for dissemination of the work being done – marrying up outreach with research. Two sub-Projects spun from CAS:CADE, which utilised Rapid Manufacturing (supply chain, part optimisation and customisation) and Sustainable Product Development. The latter was a carbon footprinting project targeted at SMEs aimed at helping them to understand and reduce their impacts related to climate change.

The funding and research diversity of the Unit continues to grow, vibrantly and successfully.