Institute for Manufacturing
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) was founded in 1998 and is part of the Cambridge University Engineering Department
. Originally Division E: Manufacture and Management, the IfM was formed under the leadership of Prof. Mike Gregory CBE and is now a hub for around 240 engineers, policy makers, industrialists, researchers and students.
From its inception in 1998, the IfM has pursued an innovative approach to manufacturing. Its interests encompass a broad range of manufacturing activities, from understanding markets and technologies, through process and product design to production and supply chain operations and through-life services; all within an economics and policy context.
The IfM's mission is supported by its unique structure. It was designed to integrate education, research and practice at every level, with each area of activity feeding into and informing the others.
It has been involved in a number of projects with global reach, such as the Auto-ID Center
research programme looking at RFID chips in the supply chain
, technology roadmapping and sustainable manufacturing. It also houses one of the Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres.
Previously, the Institute occupied the former Cambridge University Press
building in Mill Lane. The IfM moved to a large, custom building in West Cambridge
, in June 2009.
Its undergraduate programme is known as 'MET' (Manufacturing Engineering Tripos). The course forms the final two years of the Universsity of Cambridge Engineering degree. MET integrates management, business and interpersonal skills with engineering and manufacturing knowledge and industrial engagement. The programme's taught core is combined with opportunities to put theory into practice via student projects.
Postgraduate courses are the nine month MPhil course 'Industrial Systems Manufacture & Management' (ISMM). For graduates of numerate discipines. Students spend more than half the course in companies in the UK or mainland Europe. Participants can select modules in either manufacturing processes or technology and innovation management.
The IfM also has a large number of PhD students following research degrees covering management, technology and policy issues.
Research is typically multi-disciplinary, and research projects frequently involve more than one centre.
Typically co-ordinated in collaboration with industry, the research develops practical techniques for companies to improve their strategies, operations and technologies. the findings are disseminated through courses, conferences, workbooks and direct services to industry.
The IfM's seven main research centres are:
The IfM also has other research groupings including Design Management and Technology Enterprise.
Cambridge University Engineering Department
The Cambridge University Engineering Department at the University of Cambridge is one of the largest departments in the university. The main site is situated at Trumpington Street, to the south of Cambridge city centre. The department is the primary centre for engineering teaching and research...
. Originally Division E: Manufacture and Management, the IfM was formed under the leadership of Prof. Mike Gregory CBE and is now a hub for around 240 engineers, policy makers, industrialists, researchers and students.
From its inception in 1998, the IfM has pursued an innovative approach to manufacturing. Its interests encompass a broad range of manufacturing activities, from understanding markets and technologies, through process and product design to production and supply chain operations and through-life services; all within an economics and policy context.
The IfM's mission is supported by its unique structure. It was designed to integrate education, research and practice at every level, with each area of activity feeding into and informing the others.
It has been involved in a number of projects with global reach, such as the Auto-ID Center
Auto-ID Labs
The Auto-ID Labs network is a research group in the field of networked radio-frequency identification and emerging sensing technologies. The labs consist of seven research universities located on four different continents. These institutions were chosen by the former Auto-ID Center to design the...
research programme looking at RFID chips in the supply chain
Supply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
, technology roadmapping and sustainable manufacturing. It also houses one of the Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres.
Previously, the Institute occupied the former Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
building in Mill Lane. The IfM moved to a large, custom building in West Cambridge
West Cambridge
West Cambridge is a university site to the west of Cambridge city centre in England. As part of the West Cambridge Master Plan, several of the University of Cambridge's departments have relocated to the West Cambridge site from the centre of town due to overcrowding...
, in June 2009.
Education
The IfM provides undergraduate and postgraduate courses.Its undergraduate programme is known as 'MET' (Manufacturing Engineering Tripos). The course forms the final two years of the Universsity of Cambridge Engineering degree. MET integrates management, business and interpersonal skills with engineering and manufacturing knowledge and industrial engagement. The programme's taught core is combined with opportunities to put theory into practice via student projects.
Postgraduate courses are the nine month MPhil course 'Industrial Systems Manufacture & Management' (ISMM). For graduates of numerate discipines. Students spend more than half the course in companies in the UK or mainland Europe. Participants can select modules in either manufacturing processes or technology and innovation management.
The IfM also has a large number of PhD students following research degrees covering management, technology and policy issues.
Research Themes
The IfM's research is carried out within seven main research centres, each concentrating on a particular theme, and covering the full spectrum of technology, management and policy issues.Research is typically multi-disciplinary, and research projects frequently involve more than one centre.
Typically co-ordinated in collaboration with industry, the research develops practical techniques for companies to improve their strategies, operations and technologies. the findings are disseminated through courses, conferences, workbooks and direct services to industry.
The IfM's seven main research centres are:
- Industry and Government
- International Manufacturing
- Strategy and Performance
- Technology Management
- Distributed Information and Automation Laboratory
- Production Processes
- Industrial Photonics
The IfM also has other research groupings including Design Management and Technology Enterprise.
Interdisciplinary Programmes
The IfM also has research projects that run across research centres these include:- Service engineering and management
- Industrial sustainability
- Emerging Industries Programme
- High Value Production
- R & D interfaces
Recent reports
- Getting Help with Open Innovation
- How to Implement Open Innovation
- Towards a Sustainable Industrial System