Case studies

The Nuclear AMRC has helped hundreds of companies to achieve their goals through manufacturing innovation and supplier development.

We have worked with businesses of all sizes to help them become more competitive, and delivered real business benefits. We have helped companies win billions of pounds of new business, and create or safeguard thousands of jobs.

You can discover some of our recent success stories below. Click on the title or image to open each case study as a two-page pdf.

For the latest news on how we’re helping UK manufacturers win work in civil nuclear and other innovative energy sectors, see our quarterly newsletter.

Manufacturing innovation

Waste container prototyping for Capsa Solutions

We worked with engineering specialist Capsa to produce two prototypes of an innovative waste container which could reduce the costs of long-term storage and disposal of nuclear waste.

Capsa developed the container concept with support from Sellafield’s Game Changer programme and Innovate UK, and worked with us on design for manufacturing.

We then produced two prototypes of different sizes, with extensive pre-production trials to optimise the fabrication process and minimise the risk of distortion.

Affirming the promise of automated weld inspection

Our researchers successfully demonstrated a new advanced tracking system to help automate the fabrication of nuclear waste containers.

The technology forms part of the Affirm (advanced photogrammetry for flexible intelligent robotic manufacturing) project, which aims to develop a new platform for robotic manufacturing and autonomous inspection of safety-critical fabrications for the nuclear sector.

Affirm is backed by Innovate UK’s Smart Grant programme and is led by Insphere with support from Cumbrian technology specialist Createc.

“The Nuclear AMRC cell is proving very valuable to maximise the learning from the project.” – Craig Davey, chief operating officer, Insphere.

Prototype canister for Deep Isolation

We worked with US-based Deep Isolation to produce a prototype for a new design of corrosion-resistant canister for the safe underground disposal of spent fuel assemblies.

The prototype, produced with support from the government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, measures almost five metres in length, with a cylindrical outer shell and end plates in Duplex stainless steel, plus internal structures to hold a fuel tube assembly.

“With the support of Nuclear AMRC’s world-class team, technologies and UK partners, we now know how to refine the design to enable highly efficient manufacturing at scale.” – Chris Parker, managing director, Deep Isolation EMEA.

Previous innovation case studies include:

• Simulations identify real savings for heat treatment users
• Manufacturability review saves costs and time for Nuclear Transport Solutions
• H V Wooding wins new work and drives investment
• Iter decommissioning challenge for robot machining
• Cavendish collaboration proves automated weld inspection
• EPRI collaboration slashes welding time for SMR pressure vessels
• Smart sensors for long-term waste storage at Sellafield
• Intelligent robots tackle the hard grind for Ensa
• Flawed weld collaboration with Sonaspection

Supply chain development

Dynamic Aerospace Fabrications moves to diversify in nuclear

Dynamic Aerospace Fabrications is diversifying outside its core market with support from Fit For Nuclear.

The Derbyshire-based firm has undergone a cultural transformation supported by F4N, with a renewed focus on strategic development and communication, and significant investment in workshop capabilities.

“For anybody thinking about embarking on the F4N journey, the way the programme is set up is very structured, very self-explanatory and easy to use,” says business development manager Eamon Lyons. “If you’re serious about getting into nuclear, it’s a very worthwhile journey.”

Lion Engineering embraces the culture change

Norfolk- based Lion is winning new machining work in nuclear, and continuing to expand its capabilities after being granted F4N.

Previously focusing on the oil and gas sector, Lion took a strategic decision to diversify into low-carbon markets to support the UK’s energy transition. The team used F4N to drive business improvements and cultural change, and develop new capabilities for the sector.

“Working with the Nuclear AMRC has opened a lot of doors in terms of projects, funding and training.” – Ashley Sewell, quality manager, Lion Engineering.

Hyde Group Nuclear puts focus on quality

Manchester-based Hyde Group is targeting new work across the nuclear sector after being granted F4N.

Hyde entered F4N to benchmark their capabilities for nuclear customers, and have used the support to enhance quality management and continuous improvement programmes across the group.

“It’s very much an improvement process – not just achieving the business standard, but driving forwards for improvements.” – Simon Collins, group quality director, Hyde Group.

Previous supplier development case studies include:

• Trillium Flow Technologies brings new culture to historic brands
• Severfield builds its capabilities for nuclear
• Michell Bearings puts safety culture first
• Tyne Pressure Testing gets deeper into nuclear
• CMP sprints for green energy opportunities
• Gadcap gets fit to build on its nuclear history
• Cementation Skanska on track for nuclear fabrication
• Hutchinson targets new opportunities in nuclear
• Heatsense hurdles barriers to entry

For more case studies on companies completing our Fit For Nuclear programme, see the directory of F4N companies.