Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGGT0110 | |
| Title | Advanced Manufacturing (3D Printing) of NTS ready components | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 75%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given National Grid Gas Transmission |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 May 2017 | |
| End Date | 01 September 2018 | |
| Duration | 16 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £260,970 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGGT0110 |
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| Objectives | This programme will explore different advanced manufacturing techniques and define an on-going strategy for National Grid in respect to future component manufacture capabilities and component cost benefit. The three phase programme will define all the key aspects of technique, product capability (mechanical/material), quality assurance and integration within the appropriate standards to enable rapid deployment within the business. The examination of these new manufacturing techniques will place National Grid Gas in a strong and highly informed position to define suitable on-going component capability to suppliers. The benefits of using advanced manufacturing (3D printing) techniques include, but are not limited to: Operational assets that might be rendered obsolete due to unavailable (obsolete) parts can have their asset life extended, delaying replacement expenditure. The costs of storing spare parts can be reduced as fewer parts are needed to be stored when low lead (delivery) time parts can be sourced. The shorter delivery time reduces downtime and increases the availability of equipment and plant. The potential to improve the design of a replacement part without incurring the cost of new tooling. The potential to take advantage of the improved components and explore the potential of intelligent parts with inbuilt sensor capability. | |
| Abstract | National Grid has a wide range of operational equipment and assets where spares may not be readily available due to obsolescence or where there are opportunities to improve capability of replacement parts. To realise these opportunities and optimise the health of National Grid’s asset base, there is a need to explore the latest techniques and technology around 3D printing of components. These techniques are improving rapidly in terms of material and component complexity but there is a need to establish the working envelope of 3D manufactured components to enable National Grid to fully utilise the benefits such techniques afford. A detailed feasibility study will be conducted to ascertain the suitability of advanced manufacturing techniques to produce spare/obsolete parts. The study will compare different advanced manufacturing techniques based on three dimensional material deposition to determine the best available technology when considering compliance with technical specifications, mechanical and service properties, impact to safety, security and the environment. The programme (Phase 1) will deliver a component capability and cost benefit matrix (3CBM) to facilitate the assessment of the technology for deployment within the business inclusive of the necessary legal and Intellectual Property (IP) considerations. This programme will be conducted in three stage gated phases to ensure appropriate progress is being achieved. Phase 1. Feasibility and Component Identification. Identification of Parts - Current Inventory . Provide a component cost benefit matrix (3CBM) for component selection. Undertake a Intellectual Property (IP) review of the 3CBM to ascertain the IP implications and develop a framework for assessing any component that may be added to the 3CBM. Phase 2. Manufacture and Evaluation of 3D Printed Components Establish Best Available Technology (BAT) and engage key Supply Chain and Other Operators. Evaluate 3D scanning techniques as a means of providing efficient and accurate data for 3D Manufacturing processes. Demonstrate 3D Manufacturing capability as a proof of concept for a single component. Use 3D printing techniques to produce four components identified in Phase 1. Evaluate mechanical properties of components. Develop Technique for Defining Tolerances. Evaluate Environmental and Safety Impact. Establish Technique for Part and Material Identification. Phase 3. Defining and Developing Business Capability (inclusive of Standard) to ensure 3D techniques can be employed in the business Definition of Workflows for component manufacture in line with the 3CBM. Defined Quality Assurance (QA) metrics. Develop Protocols and NG Technical Standard to ensure technique can be implemented within the business.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 23/03/18 | |
