The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) is located within the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, situated in the Alan Reece Building, a purpose-built building which was opened in November 2009.
It takes a distinctive, cross disciplinary approach, bringing together expertise in management, technology and policy to address the full spectrum of industrial issues and integrates its research and education with practical application in industry.
The IfM works closely with industry and undertakes research in collaboration with companies, ensuring its relevance to industrial needs and the rapid dissemination of new ideas and approaches.
Education programmes combine a thorough grounding in management and manufacturing technology with the chance to put theory into practice via industry-based projects. The EPSRC funded EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Ultra Precision is operated in partnership with the Precision Engineering Institute at Cranfield University and the Institute for Manufacturing and is led by Professor William O’Neill, Director of the Centre for Industrial Photonics located within the IfM.
The Centre for Industrial Photonics (CIP) is at the forefront in developing leading edge laser based manufacturing process technologies including high efficiency laser sources; micro and nanosystem laser fabrication methods; additive fabrication through supersonic laser deposition of metals; online and in-process optical diagnostics and control; ultra-short pulse laser interactions and hybrid ion-, plasma and laser machining for ultra precision applications.
The CIP addresses future manufacturing needs through strong collaborative partnerships with government, academia and industry and is part of a global network of photonics-based research and education organisations that seek to deliver excellence in research, education, technology transfer and photonics-based manufacturing developments.
