What is Manufacturing Technology?

Manufacturing technology is the equipment, processes and software required to enable the production of goods we see and use every day in the world around us. It is utilised and is fundamental to all sectors, for example aerospace, automotive, food and beverage, construction, oil and gas, defence, marine and electronics to name but a few. In short, manufacturing technology is basically the equipment which enables the modern standard of living.

MTA Technology Work Overview

The MTA’s Technology Team focus on four areas:

Please click the links to each area to find out more, and about how you can get involved.

Common manufacturing technologies/processes

Below is an overview of some of the manufacturing technologies that are covered by the MTA.

Additive Machine Processes

  • Powder Bed Fusion
  • Directed Energy Deposition
  • Material Jetting
  • Binder Jetting
  • Material Extrusion
  • VAT Photopolymerisation
  • Sheet Lamination.

Subtractive Machine Processes

  • Boring
  • Broaching
  • Deburring
  • Drilling
  • Grinding
  • Electrical Discharge
  • Electro-chemical
  • Milling
  • Honing
  • Lapping
  • Marking
  • Engraving
  • Cutting
  • Sawing
  • Cryogenic
  • Ultrasonic
  • Water Jet
  • Laser and Turning

Forming Machine Processes

  • Hot Stamping
  • Cold Stamping
  • Hydroforming
  • Rolling
  • Extrusion
  • Forging
  • Bending
  • Shearing.

Software

  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)
  • Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
  • Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)
  • Machine Interface Software
  • Production Control Software
  • Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
  • Factory Management Systems
  • Programmable Logic Control (PLC)
  • Security/Authenticity Software

Tooling

  • Boring Bars
  • Broaches
  • Countersinks
  • Counterbores
  • Taps and Dies
  • Drills
  • Milling Cutters
  • Reamers
  • Engravers

Metrology

  • Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM)
  • Callipers
  • Probes
  • Lasers

Workholding

  • Chucks
  • Clamps
  • Mandrels
  • Fixtures
  • Machine Vice

Automation and Material Handling

  • Robotics
  • Conveyors
  • Guided Automated Vehicles
  • Bar Feeders
  • Quality Control/Inspection Equipment
  • Sensors
  • Asset Tracking (RFID, QR Code Readers etc)