Sustainable Manufacturing in China

The CNN Video above introduces a racing car that is (supposed to be) green… a question could be ‘how can something that is fundamentally needless (such as a racing car) whilst using resources be green?’

I think this is not the point here, the video shows the great efforts that Warwick University puts into researching greener materials and their application (to make it clear, I think the team at Warwick is doing a great and extremely valuable job!). Applying these to such a complex system as a F3 racing car imposes additional difficulties that the research team has to deal with, by this means rigorously testing their research findings. In addition, their case is a great way in presenting the research to the general public but also in disseminating the results to OEMs world-wide (I think the publicity gained through e.g. CNN is a great reward for the Warwick-team).

The justification can be expanded by the educational aspects of such a project. It is for that reason that here at UNNC we are encouraging our Engineering students to develop a concept for the Shell Eco-Marathon 2010:

“The Eco-marathon is a fuel efficiency challenge programme encouraging technology and innovation among today’s youth. It serves as an excellent platform for students to showcase their creativity and innovativeness in meeting the energy challenge, and gain practical experience for the future” (http://www.shell.com/home/content/eco-marathon-en/asia/welcome_sem_asia.html).

PS: Although there is a link on the CNN webpage providing html code to embed the video, it did not work. It is for that reason that I linked their page to the picture above. Any advice would be appreciated.

Tour through  the  “Central Lab of Automotive College“

When visiting the labs I was surprised to see a group of about 10 Laoweis or perhaps a little more polite Weigoaren. Although being not too close they seemed to  be Germans… Anyway, they were engaged in a converstation looking at VW cars and  we had to follow our hosts. Asking our guide politly it turned out that the foreigners were visitors from BMW who were interested in fuel cell technology. I missed my chance…we did not happen to meet them again.

The lab itself was very impressive – engine testing, exhaust analysis, anechoic chamber, different vibration testing rigs, roller type test stand (including a robot to be placed in the car  to shift the gears – I remember students being paid to sit in the car and shift the gears…) and so on. Somehow, I recognised a lot of German brands on the installed testing equipment. After the testing facilities we were brought to a fleet of test cars, including golf cart-type developments for the Shanghai Expo (batterie powered).

Viewing the Advanced Manufacturing teaching and research facilities

The second lab tour included the Advanced Manufacturing teaching and reasearch facilities. These labs were newly installed. The teaching facilities were very practical and very specific. The research facilities included a range of milling-, turning-, and grinding-machines and metrology equipment. According to our host many of these machines were provided to the University free of charge, in some cases the contact to industry was made through former students of Tongji.

This article features a fantastic video, introducing the Nottingham Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (NIRMC), which carries out research in close collaboration with industrial companies and develops technologies, processes and systems for UK manufacturing businesses.

At Nottingham University, UK I have been involved with the NIMRC for quite some time, particularly in the areas of “Precision Manufacturing” and “Customised Assembly.” At UNNC in Ningbo I am also working part time for NIMRC on a new research area pioneering sustainable production methods.

The video gives an exciting overview about the NIRMC. It was created Brady Haran, a BBC journalist who is providing videos for TV, production blogs, and short clips on TestTube, an area in YouTube, aiming at promoting science and engineering (http://www.test-tube.org.uk).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef7cPkmIqX0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6]