Delivering high-tech innovative inspection systems, products and services based on the very latest industry R&D.
London / Cambridge, 14 June 2018 – Lloyd’s Register (LR), one of the world’s leading providers of professional services for engineering and technology, and TWI, the leading independent research and technology organisation, today announce the launch of Fullagar Technologies.
The joint venture will deliver innovative inspection systems, products and services globally using the very latest industry research from the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC), combining the advanced welding and non-destructive testing techniques (NDT) expertise of TWI with the technical inspection and verification experience of LR.
LR and TWI’s collaboration has already seen the publication of the first industry guidelines on Additive Manufacturing in 2016 and Fullagar Technologies will continue to lead its industrial development, including in-process (rather than end product) verification and certification.
Fullagar Technologies will focus on deploying the latest digital technologies in 3 areas:
- Remote Inspection of surface and subsurface integrity - Application of remote technologies and smart sensors to enable remote inspection of new and in-service components and assets in hazardous environments.
- Additive Manufacturing - Commercialisation of Additive Manufacturing tools and methodologies including in-process verification and certification.
- Digital (IOT 4.0) Manufacturing - Data-driven automation of fabrication methods that have hitherto consisted of manual operations
The joint venture is named after the first fully welded ocean-going ship in the world, which successfully demonstrated the deployment of new technology in a traditional industry. Classed by LR, the Fullagar was built at Cammell Laird shipyard, Birkenhead, in 1920.
Simon Reeve, VP Technology & Innovation at LR said: “Technology is advancing rapidly and there is a significant opportunity for new, remote, digital inspection solutions across different industry sectors to reduce cost, improve efficiency and improve safety. We are very pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with TWI in meeting the needs of our clients through this JV.”
Aamir Khalid, Technology Director at TWI, added “The technologies being taken to market are being developed by the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) sponsored by LRF, TWI and BP. These technologies will be marketed and developed into products by Fullagar Technologies Ltd, which is a JV between TWI and LRG.”
The Lloyd’s Register Foundation is a founding member of NSIRC, the world’s first educational establishment offering industry-driven postgraduate degree programmes in structural integrity. Set up to address the shortage of structural integrity engineers worldwide, the Centre is a unique collaboration between the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, TWI, lead academic partner Brunel University, together with Manchester and Cambridge universities.Notes to editors
About Lloyd’s Register (LR)
We started out in 1760 as a marine classification society. Today, we’re one of the world’s leading providers of professional services for engineering and technology – improving safety and increasing the performance of critical infrastructures for clients in over 75 countries worldwide. The profits we generate fund the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a charity which supports science and engineering-related research, education and public engagement around everything we do. All of this helps us stand by the purpose that drives us every single day: Working together for a safer world.
In a world of increasing complexity – overloaded with data and opinion – we know that our clients need more than technology to succeed. They need an experienced hand. A partner to listen, cut through the noise and focus on what really matters to them and their customers. Our engineers and technical experts are dedicated to assurance. That means a commitment to embracing new technology, and a deep-rooted desire to drive better performance. So, we consider our customers’ needs with diligence and empathy, then use our expertise and over 250 years’ experience to deliver the smart solution for everyone.
After all, there are some things technology can’t replace.
About Lloyd’s Register Foundation
Lloyd’s Register Foundation: Connecting science, safety and society
Lloyd’s Register Foundation is a UK charity, established in 2012, which funds the advancement of engineering-related education and research and supports work that enhances safety of life and property. It is funded partly by the profits of its trading arm, Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, a global engineering, technical and business services organisation.
Its vision is to be known worldwide as a leading supporter of engineering-related research, training and education that makes a real difference in improving the safety of the critical infrastructure on which modern society relies. In support of this, it promotes scientific excellence and acts as a catalyst working with others to achieve maximum impact.
Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s strategy for 2014-2020 focuses funding on four strategic themes: promoting safety and public understanding of risk; advancing skills and education; supporting excellent scientific research; and accelerating the application of research. Four research themes have been prioritised: structural integrity and systems performance; resilience engineering; human and social factors; and emergent technologies.
About TWI
TWI Ltd is one of the largest Research and Technology organisations in Europe. TWI’s field of expertise is in Joining, Welding, Materials and Structural Integrity. TWI has a turnover of £73m and a staff of 900 persons worldwide. TWI is a membership organisation with 700 industrial members including some of the world’s major industrial organisations including the following:
- Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Airbus, BAE SYSTEMS, GKN, Lockheed Martin and Honeywell from the aerospace sector.
- BP, Exxon Mobil, Shell Chevron, Petrobras, Lloyd’s Register, Kawasaki Shipbuilding and Samsung Heavy Industries from the oil and gas and marine sector.
- Areva, EDF, Alstom, Scottish Power, SunPower and ITER from the power industry.
- Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Yamaha, London Underground, Network rail, Tata Steel and Hitachi from the automotive and rail sectors.
- JCB, Caterpillar, Laing O’Rourke, Tata Steel, ESAB, Linde Group and BOC from the construction and fabrication sectors.
- DePuy, Smith & Nephew, Siemens, Danfoss and Emerson from the medical, electronics and sensors sectors.