The group has been involved with improving manufacturing processes by the use of numerical modelling methods.

Principally this has focussed on using finite element analysis of the forming processes - especially the superplastic forming processes. This focus was on reducing the overall costs of the processes - this has included cost of the tooling and equipment and on reducing the time for diffusion bonding. The cost is a critical issue in making these sometimes slow processes affordable.

Improved thermal design of the tooling is a critical issue in improving, significantly, the capability as well as the cost of these processes

Affordable Diffusion Bonding is a recent project that has resulted in a patent. Diffusion bonding is a metallurgical perfect bond. The project started with the aim of reducing the high cost of the machinery required and the long times (hours) to achieve bond. By the use of numerical modelling it was found that it was possible to eliminate the large expensive pressure vessels involved and, by local heating, achieve good bonds in under a minute.