Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Awards


KTP between Denby Holdings Ltd/ Burgess and Leigh Ltd and CFPR, UWE

AWARDING BODY: INNOVATE UK AND AHRC
AWARDED TO: STEPHEN HOSKINS AND DAVID HUSON
RESEARCHER PARTICIPANTS: ALISON HOWELL
PROJECT DURATION: 2015-2017

PROJECT DETAILS:

This project will apply pioneering academic research to Burleigh Pottery‘s underglazed tissue printing production to embed an innovative process combining digital technology and traditional craft skills, to develop new opportunities for economic growth.

Denby Holdings Ltd is the holding company of a group of quality home brand companies including Poole Pottery, Burgess and Leigh Ltd, Hartley & Greens (Leeds Pottery) and Monsoon Home. The KTP will be based at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, where Burleighware is produced by Burgess and Leigh Ltd. Underglaze tissue printing is a printing process first developed for the ceramic industry in the 1780s, where engraved or etched copper plates print tissue with cobalt blue oxides. Burleigh is the only pottery producer in the world that still uses this process commercially at the Grade II listed Middleport pottery.

KTP between Pulse Roll Label Products Ltd and CFPR, UWE

AWARDING BODY: Technology strategy board and AHRC
AWARDED TO: 
Carinna Parraman
PROJECT DURATION: 
2014-2016

PROJECT DETAILS:

This project aims to investigate and develop a novel inkjet receiver coating for inkjet printing on specialist paper and synthetic substrates to mimic a paper absorbent surface.  It is funded jointly between the Technology Strategy Board and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Pulse Roll Label Products Ltd is a well-established manufacturer of high quality inks and varnishes for the global narrow web label printing market. With a growing market share, a rapidly expanding international customer base and a product range sold worldwide, it is one of the fastest growing ink manufacturers in Europe. Its product range includes UV curable and water-based inks and varnishes for flexo, screen and letterpress printing, low migration products, special effects, metallic inks, digital varnishes, primers, adhesives and more.

Renishaw LogoKTP between Renishaw Plc and CFPR, UWE

AWARDING BODY: Technology strategy board and AHRC
AWARDED TO: 
Carinna Parraman and Stephen Hoskins
RESEARCHER PARTICIPANTS: 
Chris Bytheway
PROJECT DURATION: 
2012-2015

PROJECT DETAILS:

This project, led by Dr Carinna Parraman and Professor Stephen Hoskins, aims to enhance the Additive Layer Manufacturing capability of Renishaw, improving in-house utilisation and developing innovative new machines and processes, through embedding print related technology and arts expertise, and is funded jointly between the Technology Strategy Board and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Renishaw is a global company with core skills in measurement, motion control, spectroscopy and precision machining. It develops innovative products that significantly advance customers’ operational performance by, for example, improving manufacturing efficiencies, raising product quality, maximising research capabilities and improving the efficacy of medical procedures.  The company carries out its research and development and manufactures primarily in the UK.  It sells its products both in the UK and overseas for use in applications as diverse as machine tool automation, co-ordinate measurement, Raman spectroscopy, machine calibration, position feedback, CAD/CAM dentistry, stereotactic neurosurgery and medical diagnostics.

Dycem UKKTP between Dycem Ltd and CFPR, UWE

AWARDING BODY: Technology Strategy Board
AWARDED TO: Stephen Hoskins
SUPERVISOR: Paul Laidler
RESEARCHER PARTICIPANTS: Lee Hamilton
PROJECT DURATION: 2010-2012

 

Related articles: UWE’s KTP with Dycem design-led safety flooring is one of the best in UK; Inside Hospitals; CFJ Jan

PROJECT DETAILS:

In this high value manufacturing KTP, CFPR collaborated with Bristol based Dycem Ltd, manufacturers of high performance, contamination control floorings and non-slip products, to develop a new digital printing capability enabling the production of an enhanced product range.

The project aimed to develop and enhance a new decontamination flooring range with capacity for incorporating digitally printed logos and signage into the company’s production and developed ways of printing customer logos, patterns, or advertising and marketing messages on the flooring.  CFPR researchers advised the company on building a dedicated, in-house design and print facility to enable on-demand print manufacturing. The project also linked to CFPR’s knowledge on inks, wide-format printing, and different substrates such as specialist flooring and textiles. The project was a great example of applying design knowledge in an industrial setting. This project resulted in the development of new product ranges, an increase in profits and new export markets for the company.

Eurosigns / Ringway

KTP between The Ringway Group and CFPR, UWE

AWARDING BODY: Technology Strategy Board
AWARDED TO: Stephen Hoskins
RESEARCHER PARTICIPANTS: Peter McCallion
PROJECT DURATION: 2006-2008

PROJECT DETAILS:

The CFPR’s expertise in large-scale digital printing led to a KTP with vehicle graphics and road-sign manufacturer Ringway Signs (now Eurosigns). The company, based in Weston-super-Mare, has worked on prestigious signage projects from the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to the Commonwealth Games. They also design and produce graphics for public service vehicles such as police cars and ambulances.

This project introduced digital wide format print and helped the company to speed up the production of graphics for 3D objects such as vehicles, develop design potential and led to an integrated approach to digital design and print workflow. These innovative practices enabled the company to take advantage of new market opportunities.

JPP logoKTP between John Purcell Paper and CFPR, UWE

AWARDING BODY: Technology Strategy Board
AWARDED TO: Stephen Hoskins
RESEARCHER PARTICIPANTS: Carinna Parraman
PROJECT DURATION: 2002-2004

PROJECT DETAILS:

The CFPR completed a KTP with John Purcell Paper of London that involved the creation of ink jet profiles specifically designed to suit a wide range of artist quality papers.  John Purcell is one of the major paper distributors for artists in the UK and supplies a vast range of artist’s and conservation papers.

The rapid development of desktop inkjet printing had highlighted that there was a shortfall in quality inkjet papers. We have continued to have an excellent working relationship with John Purcell Paper and continue to collaborate with them and St Cuthberts Mill in the development of new paper ranges.

 

Cranfield coloursCranfield coloursCranfield coloursCranfield coloursKTP between Cranfield Colours and CFPR, UWE

 

AWARDING BODY: Technology Strategy Board
AWARDED TO: Stephen Hoskins
RESEARCHER PARTICIPANTS: Angela Brown
PROJECT DURATION: 2000 – 2003

PROJECT DETAILS:

Winner of the ‘Best Application of Knowledge’ KTP award, 2003

In this KTP, CFPR collaborated with Cwmbran based ink manufacturer Cranfield Colours Ltd.  The aim of the KTP was to develop a range of user friendly artists’ inks (Safewash), designed to meet both the needs of artists, comply with environmental legislation and to create a better understanding of how artists use the product. Breaking down language barriers was the key to this KTP.

The chemistry experts at Cranfield focussed on the low metamerism of the product, the five microns grind and the minimal flocculation. The academics questioned how cleanly it wipes off the plate and if it was smooth or buttery. The KTP helped to bridge this language gap. During the two-year programme, the new range of inks was designed based on traditional ingredients that can be cleaned with soap and water rather than harmful volatile compounds.

“When we embarked on this project our aim was pretty simple. There was a market out there, which we supplied in small part but we really knew nothing about it. Long-term, we have now changed our strategy and it is far more profitable for us.  As a third generation small business, we needed to innovate and this programme has given us a business strategy that exceeded all expectations.”
Michael Craine, Managing Director of Cranfield Colours Ltd

Cranfield Colours is an independent, family owned company that has manufactured printing ink for commercial lithographic printers in the UK since 1975. Alongside this core ink business Cranfield Colours also manufacture a range of specialist inks for the fine art printmaker. This project resulted in the development of new product ranges, including the non-toxic Safewash Ink, an increase in profits and new export markets in the US, Holland, Australia and France for the company. The project was so successful a new company was formed – Caligo Inks. Another significant development made during the programme included the development of specific ink crucial to the development of collotype, a nineteenth century printing technique that has been revived by the CFPR.

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