Manufacturing

At a Glance
Welcome to Cranfield University
A driving force in the We provide:
advancement of manufacturing
Transformational
innovation. Working with our research
strategic partners, our expertise
in technology and management,
combined with fundamental
materials research enables us
to develop novel products and
manufacturing processes, and to
provide postgraduate education
and training to build sustainable Premier Impact and
manufacturing growth. learning influence
 Premier learning
for professionals
UK Aerospace, Engineering and
No.1 Technology postgraduates
Flagship Ranked 9 in UK, 19 in Europe
MBA and 57 in the world.
Cranfield is:
• the only university to offer a Manufacturing
Directors’ Programme; a course combining executive
management development with technical expertise,
•a
 key partner in the EPSRC Centres for Doctoral
Training in Composites, Sustainable Materials and
Manufacturing, and Ultra-Precision,
• offering unique Executive Manufacturing Master’s
programmes in Operations Excellence and
Through-Life System Sustainment.
“I recommend Cranfield as the
university of choice for students
who wish to excel within
manufacturing. The industry-
informed taught modules have
provided me with a wide knowledge,
and will guide my professional
development in the longer term.”
Boyang Song, Engineering and Management
of Manufacturing Systems, MSc 2015
Our learners:
Over half of our Manufacturing learners
come from outside the UK, representing
45+ countries
part-time (40%)
UK (36%)
EU (37%)
overseas (27%)
full-time (60%)
Most programmes are accredited by professional
institutions including: The Royal Aeronautical Society,
The Institution of Engineering and Technology and The
Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Our alumni: 60,000+
A professional network of
“Cranfield University’s postgraduate
programmes are closely linked
with industry, and students work
together in order to provide answers
to real business challenges. The
flexibility of the part-time courses,
along with state-of-the-art facilities
deliver the perfect learning
environment for graduands.”
Maud Seraffon, Materials Engineer, E.ON
Technologies (UK) Limited, PhD 2012.
 Transformational research
meeting the needs of business, government and wider society
Top World ranking for: Engineering
– Mechanical, Aeronautical
40 and Manufacturing
Cranfield leads:
•m
 anufacturing excellence in the UK, hosting
the Manufacturing 2075 global think tank, the
National Manufacturing Debate and the National
Apprenticeship Competition,
• the Integrated Vehicle Health Management Centre
(IVHM), supported by Boeing, BAE Systems, Rolls-
Royce, Meggitt, Thales, Alstom, MOD and DRS (UK).
A partner in ‘The Future Composites
£19 Manaufacturing Hub’, driving
automated manufacuring technologies
million for demanding applications, funded by
EPSRC and industry.
Making manufacturing environmentally sustainable
Cranfield developed ‘THERM’, a new integrated modelling
tool that simulates the manufacturing process to identify
more resource-efficient and sustainable opportunities.
“The project solved the demand for manufacturing to
become low-carbon and resource efficient.”
Dr Michael Oates, Technical Analyst, Integrated
Environmental Solutions (IES) Ltd.
81% of our research is
world-leading or
internationally excellent
Unique facilities include:
Precision engineering
World-class temperature-controlled precision engineering
laboratories.
National High Temperature Surface Engineering Centre
The most comprehensive high-temperature coating
facilities of any university worldwide.
Aero-structure Assembly & Systems Installation
A Centre of Excellence in intelligent automation, working in
partnership with Airbus to develop new aircraft assembly
technologies.
Laser welding
With one of the highest-powered fibre lasers in the world
we are one of few places that can weld industrial-scale
structures for research.
Developing next generation sensors
Optical fibre sensor technology developed by Cranfield
has supported the development and subsequent sales of
state-of-the-art superconducting magnet systems.
“Cranfield has enabled Oxford Instruments to further
optimise the design of our high field magnets.”
Dr Andrew Twin, Development Engineering Manager,
Oxford Instruments Nanoscience, UK.
 Impact and influence
We work with 1,500+ businesses and governments around the world
Strategic partnerships: we have strategic relationships with global companies such as Airbus, AWE,
BAE Systems, Boeing and Rolls-Royce; working across the Technology Readiness Levels from concept to launch.

Additive manufacturing: we develop processes for the manufacture of large structural parts at a
significantly reduced lead time and cost. Working with BAE Systems we produced one of the largest 3D printed
metal parts in the UK and continue to develop technology to revolutionise the way aircraft are produced.

Surface engineering: we conduct world-leading research into smart coating systems and advanced,
functional surface engineering. Our barrier coating systems have improved the thermal efficiency of gas turbines
and can be found in Rolls-Royce engines powering the Airbus A340 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Through-life engineering services: we are working with BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier
Transportation, Network Rail, Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Rolls-Royce to develop technologies and processes to
improve predictability and reliability of complex engineering systems with the lowest possible life-cycle cost.

Precision engineering: we design, manufacture and build ultra-precision machines, tools and
processes. Our research in making and measuring surfaces has laid the foundations for a redefinition of the world
standard for temperature measurement.
Cranfield University works with:

Cranfield University
MK43 0AL, UK
T: +44 (0)1234 754042
E: business@cranfield.ac.uk

www.cranfield.ac.uk/manufacturing 2017 V1