Cranfield University and EWB Solutions Limited KTP 24_25 R2

A small engineering company is overhauling its entire production line to weld, machine, and assemble its core product faster and more precisely. The problem is straightforward: many specialist manufacturers rely on skilled welders and manual processes that are slow, inconsistent, and hard to scale. This company needs to embed new expertise in advanced welding techniques, precision engineering, and lean manufacturing—then automate those processes so they can produce more parts with tighter tolerances and less waste. If the project succeeds, the company will shift from craft-based production to a modern, automated system. That means shorter lead times, fewer defective parts, and the ability to take on larger contracts. The impact is not something a consumer would see directly, but it strengthens a link in the UK’s manufacturing supply chain—the kind of quiet improvement that keeps industrial production competitive and resilient. This is an applied, commercially focused project. There is no fundamental science here; the goal is to transfer existing knowledge into a specific business setting and make it work at scale.