Competitive Sustainable Manufacture (CSM) Research Group

The Competitive Sustainable Manufacturing (CSM) research group brings together a number of staff from Manufacturing Organisation, Manufacturing Technology and Sustainable Manufacturing groups to encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to research.  The CSM group aims to develop strategies, methodologies and enabling technologies that safeguard the long-term economic sustainability through added value and improved production capability, as well as supporting environmental sustainability through a decrease in the consumption of natural resources.

The main research goal is to provide industry with the opportunity to achieve a progressive change away from traditional manufacturing approaches to high value-added green manufacturing methods, and therefore the scope of our research activities covers the complete life cycle of not only the products but also the production systems.  This includes project on product and engineering design, advanced manufacturing technologies, servitisation, end-of-life recovery and recycling, operations management, manufacturing organisation, and innovation management and leadership. The CSM staff have been awarded a range of European and National research grants totalling several millions of pounds, and are collaborating with a number of international companies and institutes in their research.

More Information can be found at;

http://www.centreforsmart.co.uk/

Current research

• Professor Chris Backhouse: Research interests are in the domain of design and manufacturing organisation, innovation and leadership. The consequential effects and requirements of servitisation on human behaviour and organisation dynamics is an emerging theme of interest.

• Dr Ran Bhamra: Research interests are in operations management and organisational strategy.  Key aspects being the creation of resilient organisations and the impact of sustainability issues on manufacturing strategy.  Related interests include the resource based view of the firm, and the management of technology.

• Dr Mey Goh: Research interests include uncertainty and risk in engineering design and manufacture, modelling and simulation methods, decision making and information management for the life cycle.  Currently investigating through-life costing and competitive bidding in product-service systems.

• Dr Sue Morton: Research interests span innovation and productivity: social networks and the impact of network structures, particularly in relation to project/operations/supply chain management and new product development; and the effect of globalisation upon these processes.

• Dr Jon Petzing: Research interests are in Dimensional metrology including  Coordinate metrology, Surface texture metrology, Surface topography. Pressure metrology.  Optical Metrology.

• Professor Shahin Rahimifard:  Research interests are in Sustainable Product Design, Life Cycle Assessment, Energy & Water Efficient Manufacturing, Waste Management, Product Services Systems, Sustainable Business Models, Product End-of-Life Management, and Reuse and Recycling Technologies.

• Dr Emma Rosamond: Current areas of interest lie within the field of resource management, including recycling and remanufacturing technologies and processes; and in sustainable product systems, considering opportunities for sustainable business models and strategies.

• Andy Taylor: Research interests are Engineering design methods and strategies.  Remote handling devices for hazardous environments.  Human factors in automotive and product design.  Inclusive design.  Assistive devices for disabled or impaired people.  Stroke rehabilitation.

• Bob Temple: Research interests are on Metal matrix composites in particular copper aluminium and magnesium based alloys, in relationship to forging, squeeze casting, lost foam and investment casting.  Casting performance, sustainability for design.  Health and safety issues and regulations for the manufacturing industry.

The work of the Group is further supported by;

• Peter Davies, CBE, Royal Academy of Engineering
  Visiting Professor in Innovation;
• Barbara Flynn, Visiting Professor (USA);
• Richard Wysk, Visiting Professor (USA).