Connect, no.103, November-December 1999, p.8 Reducing costs and time to market are drivers facing most manufacturing industries. One route to achieving this, for certain products, is to change the assembly process to one involving adhesive technology. Significant improvementshave been seen in products ranging from medical devices, to drives shafts in the automotive sector and bridges in construction.
Novel adhesive used to attached insulation panels to the hull behind the invar panels of an LNG tanker with a capacity of 135 000 cubic metres. Courtesy of Ciba Speciality Chemicals Adhesive technology has been around for hundreds of years, but the key to step changes in product development, for new product design, environmentally friendly processing, reduced manufacturing costs etc., is through innovation.
Novel developments are happening throughout industry and academia. TWI wishes to recognise the most significant achievements through the Ciba sponsored de Bruyne medal, awarded annually for personal contributions to innovation inadhesives and related technology.
Individuals or groups interested in this award, either through their own achievements or knowledge of good work in the field, are invited to contact Sue Dunkerton at TWI. E-mail: sue.dunkerton@twi.co.uk
The deadline for receipt of nominations is 25 February 2000.
