MIRA Enterprise Zone launches UK’s first centre for 3D laser vibration measurement

Posted on 8 July 2014 · Posted in News

The University of Leicester and MIRA Technology Park Enterprise Zone today launched the £2.5million Advanced Structural Dynamics Evaluation Centre (ASDEC) the UK’s first commercial robotised 3D scanning laser vibration measurement and modal analysis centre.

The launch was held at the new ASDEC facility located at MIRA Technology Park near Hinckley.

The Centre has been developed by the University of Leicester and funded by grants from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.

The project has been led by Professor Sarah Hainsworth from the University’s Department of Engineering and Anjuu Trevedi of the Enterprise and Business Development office.

Professor Hainsworth said: “The project delivers a key research capability to industry to allow customers to use state-of-the-art technology to deliver innovative engineering solutions to problems of vibration and noise.”

Anjuu Trevedi added: “ASDEC will enable UK companies, especially small and medium enterprises, to gain commercial advantage by reducing product design costs and thus time to market by accessing the latest testing facilities and our dedicated specialist team of engineers.”

Terry Spall, Commercial Director at MIRA Technology Park, said: “As our first University collaboration at MIRA Technology Park, we are looking forward to bridging academic excellence with cutting edge, commercial innovation with the ASDEC facility. As well as creating new jobs in the area, the centre will complement our growing transport sector technology cluster at MIRA Technology Park and help support the industry in vital research and development for future materials and solutions.”

Since 2010, MIRA Technology Park Enterprise Zone has created over 300 technology-related jobs as a result of the development. The aim is to create a total of 2,000 jobs in the Technology Park by 2020 and house businesses from across the global automotive, aerospace, rail, defence and associated digital technology sectors.

The Centre is supported by the University of Leicester, the European Regional Development Fund and the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

MIRA Technology Park is not the only Enterprise Zone with outstanding university links. Several of the UK’s top universities have started to reap in the huge rewards for locating in an Enterprise Zone.

 

Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone

The University of Northampton is embarking upon an ambitious £330m move to the Enterprise Zone, creating a modern, purpose-build innovation centre state-of-the-art facility that will help up to 55 small businesses to grow. This further strengthens the links between businesses and the university.

 

North East Enterprise Zone

Newcastle University’s Centre for Subsea and Offshore Engineering, currently being developed on the zone, will develop technologies that can withstand the world’s harshest marine environments. With over half of the UK’s third generation of wind farms within reach, the North East is the UK’s prime location for offshore wind, with more than 250 firms linked to the sector.

 

Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone

The Zone’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre provides training in the practical and academic skills that manufacturing companies need to compete globally, from apprenticeship through to doctorate and MBA level. This hi-tech partnership between Boeing and the University of Sheffield provides 250 apprenticeships every year for local young people.

Discovery Park Enterprise Zone

With the University of Kent, East Kent College and Canterbury Christ Church University just a short journey away, businesses at Discovery Park are well-placed to take advantage of the region’s highly skilled next generation. Pfizer operates an industrial placement scheme on its Discovery Park site, giving university students hands-on experience of work in the pharmaceutical sector.