As announced by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, the University of Leicester has been successful in the second round of the Government’s £1.4 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) which will support 119 bids from businesses and local partnerships with projects to expand their operations, create new jobs and attract private investment.

The University, with its industrial partner – Polytec UK - will establish an Advanced Structural Dynamics Evaluation Centre ( ASDEC), the UK’s first commercial 3D laser  (non-contact) vibration scanning measurement and modal analysis centre, offering the first modelling and certification services in Europe. It will create more than 250 knowledge based engineering jobs.

The facility will use a robot with laser technology to analyse and assess the design, parts and components of products from the automotive, aerospace and space industries. This will save time and costs in the production processes by analysing in advance whether design and vibrating parts of a machine are optimised.

The facility is a highly specialised resource to support many more developments of new products and processes. It will provide reliable, quick turnaround, cost effective, synthesized system-level models to accurately predict the most optimum design solutions for whole engineering components ranging from nano-actuators, aircraft fuselage sections, and to structures such as the vibration comfort of a complete vehicle, the fatigue resistance of an aircraft landing gear, or the structural integrity of an innovative aircraft or satellite design.

Industry is continuously looking for ways to reduce costs, introduce innovative designs, new and lighter materials, to make their products more profitable, environmentally sustainable, to cultivate strong brand values and open new markets.  The calls for a high performance development process – with high throughput and high precision and a process that delivers the right products – designed right first time. A good example of need is in the automotive sector, where cars need to become quieter with the introduction of hybrid fuels.  ASDEC will provide automotive engineers noise reduction solutions leading to product improvements and cost savings.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Bob Burgess, is a Board member of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, created to boost the economy and bring jobs to the city and county.  He said:

Professor Kevin Schurer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, said:

The academic lead for the project at the University of Leicester is Professor Sarah Hainsworth, Professor in Materials Engineering.  She said:

The project bid was spearheaded by the University’s Enterprise and Business Development team.  Anjuu Trevedi, Head of Regional Business Engagement, said:

Adrian Harrison, MD  from Polytec UK said:

Andrew Bacon (LLEP Chairman) said:

The successful bids are subject to legal checks before they can be awarded their final allocation of funding. This will establish whether the Government is confident that the organisations can deliver on the proposals in the bid and be agreed through contract. The Government expects the money to start being passed on to the bidders in the spring.

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