Duke of York opens manufacturing research centre at Sheffield University

The £43 million facility, which was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, is dedicated to digital assembly and flexible component manufacturing, the university said in a statement.

It is designed to help manufacturing companies test new production methods and more rapidly change product designs on an assembly line.

According to the university, research teams at 'Factory 2050' will work with manufacturing partners on projects including robotics and automation, digitally-assisted assembly, and manufacturing informatics.

Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre executive dean Keith Ridgway said the facility was an important part in the future development of the AMRC.

He said: “It will keep us at the forefront of manufacturing technology and is a beacon for the region – hopefully attracting young people to careers in manufacturing.”