Knowledge Transfer Partnership Research Articles

The UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership Programme

The UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership Programme

Challenges in Implementing Design-Led Technologies in Small Manufacturing Companies

This paper examines some of the challenges of implementing design-led technologies, such as computer-aided design (CAD), in the context of small manufacturing companies. The research is based on university-company collaborations in the UK using the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) model, and the paper adopts a case-study approach based on three such partnerships. The authors assess the operational impact of design-led technologies in three key areas: lead times, project costs and product quality. The general design-based challenges are evaluated by examining the management and new product development culture in small manufacturing companies.

Effective Teaching of Quality and Ways to Make it Stick

MSOR Connections Nov 2004 Vol 4 No 4 Editors’ note: See end of this article for a useful summary of acronyms used in this article. This paper reviews aspects of the teaching of Quality to undergraduate Business students to a standard that combines the requirements of the Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA), Body of Knowledge (BOK) and Six Sigma. The paper reviews the aspects of Quality that can be taught University wide. The history of the Undergraduate BA Degree in Business and Quality Management at The Nottingham Trent University is presented showing how change within the University contributed to the change in the course. The change of the course is discussed with reference to the statistical elements of Quality. Encompassing both aspects of statistical thinking and business skill is of prime importance. Knowledge transfer partnerships sponsored jointly by companies and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) attempt to bridge the gap between study and practice by employing graduates and providing academic guidance. Placing students in industry as part of their undergraduate studies is also effective. The reverse situation is currently supported by a large grant from the European Social Fund so that a university-based group can train employees of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in statistical thinking skills at the university as part of the professional development of the employees.

Mechanical Design Analysis and Test in Support of the Market Introduction of a New Vehicle

This paper reports results from a stress, acoustics and vibration investigation of the ride and driveline components of a new 2-seater sports car. The work was aimed at giving design assurance information to designers and vehicle engineers working to compressed timescales. The paper focuses on two particular areas: design of the power train for NVH refinement, and design analysis of a suspension wishbone. In the first case, a dynamic model of drive shaft torsion effects was created to understand design relationships needed for high power, high torque performance car. In the second case, an investigation was made into the integrity of a suspension wishbone component when gauge thickness was reduced from 3 mm to 2 mm. The work described was carried out in a joint industry academic venture sponsored by Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). It is from this background that the authors give some perspectives on vehicle development.