Advanced Manufacturing Case Study: SusDRaM Support for Design and Rapid Manufacture
The Lancaster Product Development Unit (LPDU), based in Engineering, has been successfully running the SusDRaM Project (Support for Design and Rapid Manufacturing) since 2009, assisting 60 companies during 2010/2011. The SusDRaM Project is aimed at Northwest-based SMEs that can benefit from exploiting the opportunities afforded by using bespoke design and additive manufacturing technologies to develop and build new products.
One company to benefit over the last year includes Primera Ltd, a manufacturing company specialising in supplying anti-ligature locks to the health industry. They designed a new bespoke locking system, which integrated a fingerprint reader using SolidWorks 3D CAD to expand the company’s product range. Fused Deposition Modelling additive manufacturing technology was used to manufacture the prototypes to check for fit, function and preliminary testing. The new prototype accommodated all the components the company required; greatly minimised the material used; reduced the manufacturing and assembly time and saved material and labour costs.