TWI Core Research Programme - the results

TWI Bulletin, January - February 1996

Graham Wylde joined TWI in 1975 to carry out research and development programmes on fatigue design of welded structures. He is now Product Manager - Information and Core Services at TWI, and Head - Industrial Member Services Department.

One of the most important features that sets TWI apart from many other Research and Consultancy organisations is its Core Research Programme (CRP). This programme is funded from the annual technology access fees paid by TWI's Industrial Members. As Graham Wylde explains, the programme runs on a three year cycle, the present series of projects started at the beginning of 1995.

The current programme has some 56 projects covering all aspects of joining and related technologies. These projects are listed in the Table . It is important that Industrial Members appreciate how they can access results of the CRP, both in the form of the final reporting and also during the work. The CRP is a confidential programme, with the results issued exclusively to Industrial Members for a period before publication in open literature. This period is set by The Research Board which comprises representatives from the membership. This gives Industrial Members priority access to the findings, and with this, the opportunity to assess how the information can be used within their organisation before the results become openly available.

Throughout its history the programme has led to a number of major developments and advances in materials joining technology. Industrial Members should take some pride in their contribution to this programme. Each year the top achievements are listed in TWI's Annual Review which in recent years has been incorporated in the Annual Report.

In terms of the findings of the programme, these are made available to Industrial Members in a number of ways:

Members Reports

At the end of each programme, or at suitable progress points, detailed reports of the work and the results are issued in the form of Member Reports. These reports are generally of a detailed nature and they are distributed in two ways of the Member's choice:

• They can automatically receive all reports as they are issued (on average 2-3 each month).
• They can request those reports which they feel will be of particular interest, or relevance to their business.

It is suggested that larger companies who have a library or other central source of reference material may wish to request a complete set of reports for this location, with other staff requesting copies of reports relevant to their specific interests.

Bulletin

TWI's Bulletin contains shorter articles from the CRP programmes. These may be taken from projects which The Research Board felt could be better disseminated in the form of a Bulletin article than as a full report, or they may form one part of work also covered more fully as an entire Member Report.

Technology Briefings

Technology Briefings were introduced in 1993 as a direct result of comments received from some Industrial Members who felt the need for an alternative reporting format - one that would provide a brief summary, ie the main technical achievements and benefits of the work, in addition to the full results in the Member Reports. These have proved very popular with Members.

In 1996, TWI changed the way that these reports were distributed to Members; Technology Briefings are incorporated into the Bulletin. This should have the main benefit that they can be readily filed and kept for easy access. The very brief summaries of the more detailed Member Reports that were previously included in the Bulletin (as New Reports) have been discontinued. Industrial Members who wish to obtain the full report should use the accompanying form, or a photocopy, as in the past.

It is hoped that Members will find this method of distribution an improvement over the previous system. The Technology Briefings will continue to be numbered in sequence with the full Member Reports. Thus the first of the new style will be: 539/1996.

Discussions

In addition to the formal reporting lines for the CRP projects it is most important that Industrial Members take the opportunity to discuss progress of ongoing programmes with staff at TWI. This form of interaction is positively encouraged and will have benefits for both parties.

For the Members it provides a means of keeping up to date with new developments which may have a significant impact on their business well before the results are published. It also provides a valuable opportunity to contribute ideas to the programme and to ensure that the work meets the requirements of industry. On occasions it may also be possible to contribute materials, consumables or equipment for inclusion in the programme.

For the TWI staff member it provides that essential link with those in industry who are likely to find most use for the results. This ensures that the work is allied closely to the needs of industry and provides vital verification that the work is likely to be of value to Members.

Next time you visit Abington please take the opportunity to identify which of the current programmes are of most relevance to your business and also to discuss the work with the project leader.

Table: TWI Core Research Programme 1995-97

For further details contact the relevant Project Leader at TWI, Abington, Cambridge CB1 6AL.
Tel: +44 (0)1223 899000 or Fax: 01223 892588