Sorry, but the Joining Forces Scotland technical support programme is closed. We are hopeful that with further funding it will re-open in the near future.
FREE: up to 7 days in-depth technical support from TWI
Need a quick overview of Joining Forces Scotland technical support services?
Some typical examples of what companies say about the value of Joining Forces Scotland
'Joining Forces Scotland is an excellent mechanism for accessing TWI's professional technical support, which will directly benefit our design and manufacturing processes.
'Our experience has been very positive and we anticipate seeking further assistance from TWI in the future.'
Charles Taylor, Structural Engineering Manager, Pelamis Wave Power Ltd, Edinburgh
www.pelamiswave.com
Pelamis Wave Power Ltd is the producer of a unique system for generating renewable electricity from ocean waves.
TWI's Dave Howse carried out an initial review of considerations for manufacture and fatigue performance of the Pelamis wave energy converter. Dave will work with TWI colleague Graham Slater on an in-depth design study accompanied by full consideration of the manufacturing implications.
Graham Slater started at TWI in 1979 and has been a Principal Project Engineer in TWI's Structural Integrity Department since 1989. His main activities are project management and consultancy on design of welded structures, fatigue and fracture assessments and failure investigations, and experimental stress analysis.
His recent research activities have included investigations into the thickness effect on fatigue of tubular joints, fatigue of internally stiffened tubular joints, development of shallow crack fracture mechanics testing techniques, repair welding of steel bridges, and full scale resonance fatigue testing of steel catenary risers.
Graham's qualifications include an MA in engineering, CEng, MIMechE, FWeldI.
'Steve Sleep from TWI was superb. He took time to explain both advanced and traditional welding sets and left us well impressed. Great care was taken to ensure that all was understood and considerable enthusiasm was generated among FiFab staff.
'As for the next Joining Forces Scotland programme from TWI and Scottish Enterprise, we definitely would be keen to sign up - no way would FiFab want to miss out on this opportunity.'
Adrian Nicolson, Facilities Manager, Fife Fabrications Ltd, Glenrothes
www.fifab.com
Fife Fabrications is one of the UK's most advanced manufacturers of precision sheet-metalwork, electro-mechanical assemblies and precision machined components.
Following an assessment of manufacturing opportunities for FiFab, TWI carried out knowledge transfer and training to boost productivity. The MIG/MAG welding process and its advantages/disadvantages over TIG welding were examined, providing FiFab's welders with additional know-how in selecting the most suitable process for a given welding job.
Steve Sleep. After completing a welding and fabrication apprenticeship with Halliburton Manufacturing & Services Ltd, Steve spent the next seven years working on a wide range of construction projects including offshore and onshore oil platform installation and servicing.
Joining TWI in 1984, Steve spent five years on projects involving all arc welding processes and developing weld defect specimens for investigating NDT methods.
Now a Welding Instructor in TWI's Welder Training Centre, he provides training and skills development in a wide range of processes to meet the needs of companies and individuals alike. Steve is a Registered Master Welding Instructor and holds a CSWIP 3.1 Welding Inspector certificate.
'Plurion wanted to evaluate a new coating process involving technology in which TWI has unique capability.
'The Joining Forces Scotland feasibility study was completed in a short space of time and achieved a significant conclusion. Plurion will look to TWI in the future for materials expertise.'
David Hodgson, CEO, Plurion, Glenrothes
www.plurionsystems.com
Plurion was formed to bring reliable, clean and affordable, high-capacity electricity storage to market using its unique platform of flow battery technologies. Plurion's mission is to make utility-scale electricity storage commercially available.
Tiziana Marrocco. TWI specialist Tiziana carried out the feasibility study for Plurion. Following her degree from the Politecnico of Torino, she studied for a PhD at The University of Nottingham. Tiziana joined TWI in 2007.
Her qualifications include BEng (Hons) in Materials Science and Engineering, PhD, MWeldI.
'TWI support through Joining Forces Scotland has been great - we are delighted with the work done! It has enabled us to meet our quality objective for this year under BS 9001. Even better, TWI support has allowed us to gain a foothold within AMEC and this will undoubtedly lead to more work for my company.
'I am very interested in receiving further support from TWI and Scottish Enterprise in the next programme, and I'm looking forward to the forthcoming stainless steel event.'
Sandy Brown, Managing Director, AG Brown Ltd, Glenrothes
www.agbrown.com
AG Brown Ltd provides a specialist welding service covering coded welding operations on stainless steel, aluminium, mild steel and, through Corgi registration, gas pipelines.
Initial support by TWI's Dave Howse involved a welding procedure qualification review. This was followed by further assessment of the company's quality system, particularly with regard to working in accordance with the National Structural Steelwork Specification for Building Construction.
Dave Howse joined TWI in 1994 and currently works in the Arc Process, Fabrication and Welding Engineering section as a Consultant Welding Engineer. Prior to this he was involved both with arc and laser technologies.
Dave worked for four years in British Steel's arc welding section, running projects and providing welding engineering support to British Steel's businesses and its customers. He also has experience in site project management of steel construction projects, gained in the steel fabrication industry.
Graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in metallurgy, Dave initially trained as a pipe-fitter for an offshore construction company, carrying out steel fabrication for the gas and petrochemical industries. His knowledge and skills include general welding engineering, thermal cutting, laser welding, cutting and processing with high power lasers and hybrid laser/arc welding.
Dave's qualifications include an Engineering Doctorate, C Eng, BEng (Hons) Metallurgy, European Welding Engineer, Sen MWeldI, MIMMM.
'Petrology will always be looking to TWI for provision of specialist services - it's crucial to our business that we continue receiving technical assistance from them.'
Richard Jones, Research & Development Manager, Petrology Ltd, Glasgow
www.petrology.com
Petrology is a technology-based organisation working with clients worldwide, building oil and gas pipelines and systems where welding performance is key to success.
Current Joining Forces Scotland work for Petrology by TWI specialist Joanna Nicholas is an investigation into the metallurgical reasons for low weld-metal toughness, indentified during weld procedure testing.
Joanna Nicholas. Following her degree from the University of Wales, Joanna joined TWI in 1999. Since then she has worked on wide-ranging ferritic steels research and consultancy projects at TWI.
Joanna's expertise includes fabrication hydrogen cracking of carbon-manganese and low alloy steels; ferritic steel weld zone microstructures and hardness; hot tapping of pipelines and vessels; and computer modelling.
Her specialist knowledge extends into the fields of failure investigation and structural integrity, and her qualifications include BEng (Hons) in Materials Science and Engineering, CEng, MWeldI.
'Assistance provided by Dave Howse through Joining Forces Scotland is central to developing our offshore business. The quality of support has been excellent.
'We hope that TWI secures a follow-on technology transfer programme so that we can have further technical support to help us through the downturn.'
Andy Curran, Managing Director, Houston's of Cupar, Cupar
tel 01334 655 331
Houston's provide a specialist service in general engineering, machining and steel fabrication and erection for a range of industries including offshore and energy.
TWI's Dave Howse conducted a welding procedure qualification review for a specific fabrication task. Further work will include implementation of the review's findings to ensure alignment with customer specifications.
Dave Howse joined TWI in 1994 and currently works in the Arc Process, Fabrication and Welding Engineering section as a Consultant Welding Engineer. Prior to this he was involved both with arc and laser technologies.
Dave worked for four years in British Steel's arc welding section, running projects and providing welding engineering support to British Steel's businesses and its customers. He also has experience in site project management of steel construction projects, gained in the steel fabrication industry.
Graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in metallurgy, Dave initially trained as a pipe-fitter for an offshore construction company, carrying out steel fabrication for the gas and petrochemical industries. His knowledge and skills include general welding engineering, thermal cutting, laser welding, cutting and processing with high power lasers and hybrid laser/arc welding.
Dave's qualifications include an Engineering Doctorate, C Eng, BEng (Hons) Metallurgy, European Welding Engineer, Sen MWeldI, MIMMM.
Printable leaflet - provides an easy-reading, illustrated overview of what companies say about Joining Forces Scotland.
Further information
For more information or to organise free technical assistance, please contact -
Nick Elbourn: 01223 899 299 nick.elbourn@twi.co.uk
Sarah Welch: 01223 899 287 sarah.welch@twi.co.uk
You'll need to complete a registration form to benefit from the services and activities of Joining Forces Scotland. Registration also allows you to see an expanded range of information on JoinIT - TWI's online technical support service.
To be eligible, your company must be based in Scotland. The online registration form is very quick and easy to complete and return.