Supporting the introduction of design automation tools into very small manufacturing companies

Abstract

Small manufacturing companies are an important element of the UK's manufacturing economy; however, few of these companies make systematic use of design automation tools.

This paper presents a number of case studies of very small manufacturing companies introducing such tools through an agency of formal technology transfer arrangements with a collaborating university. The paper discusses issues to be considered by universities when assisting such companies in the implementation of systems for design automation. The paper also offers an assessment of the effectiveness of the particular technology transfer and training processes used in the studies.

The location of this publication was chosen in order to place the paper’s findings in the debate on the effectiveness of current approaches to knowledge and technology transfer. PDR has been recognised as one of the UK's leading knowledge and technology transfer partners in the field of design, with particular knowledge of working in the SME sector. The field of design in SMEs is an under-researched area and this paper attempts to re-dress this balance.

The findings from this paper have informed subsequent research in the area and have found wide application in a number of Knowledge Transfer Partnership programmes.

Lewis led this work with data gathering support from Mumby.