Renishaw Strategic Alliance
Transferring knowledge to the high-value-added manufacturing industry
Our James Watt Institute for High-Value Manufacturing was unique in Scotland in bringing together research activity with the needs of industry. The Institute has now evolved into the Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Laser-based Production Processes (CIM-Laser) where its fundamental research continues and the transfer of that knowledge to the high-value-added manufacturing industry. This is how our strategic alliance with world-leading Renishaw first developed..
Partnering research
Heriot-Watt University is one of the key partners in our research programmes
Renishaw is a world leader in metrology and spectroscopy, with research, development, manufacturing, sales and service operations in more than 30 countries.
Renishaw is committed to sustained growth through continued investment in product development and manufacturing methods. Its aim is to be recognised as a world leader in its field. To achieve this it seeks to engage with leading research institutions in order to develop new product ranges and address new markets. Heriot-Watt is one of the key partners in Renishaw's research programme.
Prototype developments
Work in partnership with Renishaw saw our researchers develop a laboratory prototype of a new optical scanner with verified operating principles.
This development fulfilled Renishaw's need for a prototype of the methods required to integrate optical fringe projection extended to coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology.
Our researchers devised novel optical shape measurement techniques and technologies compatible with industrial CMM technology and the resulting prototype is the first demonstration of the methods integrating optical fringe projection and photogrammetry with CMM technology.
The Renishaw Advanced Metrology Centre
Our alliance has also brought significant benefits to staff and students at our Edinburgh campus. A new manufacturing laboratory has been created though the donation of half a million pounds worth of equipment, software and training by Renishaw.
The centre facilitates both teaching and research in modern industrial metrology and materials analysis using highly accurate co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs), laser calibration equipment, and a sophisticated Raman spectroscopy system.
A CMM, installed with Renishaw's revolutionary REVO five-axis measuring system, in the centre is allowing Heriot-Watt engineering staff and students to experience first-hand a breakthrough technology that is dramatically reducing dimensional inspection times for leading global aerospace and automotive suppliers.
Dr Nick Weston, head of Renishaw's Scottish research facility, said: "Renishaw has a huge focus on research and development, annually spending some 17% of turnover to ensure that we maintain our leadership in the field of dimensional metrology and related technologies. Heriot-Watt University is one of the key partners in our research programmes and it is important that staff and students are fully versed with the latest measurement systems.