Contact Details

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Position

University Lecturer

Affiliation

Jim Platts

Other Interests

A Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and having spent a long time involved in large multi-disciplinary projects in that industry (major bridge projects, buildings, high speed ground transportation, military bridging, renewable energy development), I am a supervisor and examiner on the Inter-Disciplinary Course for the Built Environment and retain an interest and involvement in the development of good project management in that industry.

A balanced set of interests in materials development, manufacturing process development, design for functional efficiency and manufacturability, and a sensitivity to structure and to aerodynamics supports the current interest in the design and manufacture of composites components, and the development of new manufacturing processes for advanced metal aircraft wings. Through the 1980's these interests fuelled the design, development and manufacture of the large composites moulded blades for wind turbines, establishing Composite Technology (now NEG Micon Aerolaminates) as a major contributor in that industry, currently producing high performance blades for wind turbines up to 80m diameter. I remain interested in the development of that industry and that technology.

From 1995-7 a Director of Cambridge Gemonics, I am interested in the development of the world wide gemstone industry, which is still largely craft based, but which can be enhanced by the development of technology to support the geometric and optical optimisation of gemstone design, accurately automated rough stone analysis, shape fitting, cutting, grinding and polishing to give maximum yield, and stone 'signature' recording for authenticity certification.

Quaker, a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce) and a member of the International Federation of Automatic Control committee concerned with Automatic Control based on Human Skill, I have a strong interest in issues of ethical ownership and leadership in manufacturing, in different cultural settings world-wide. This is supported by a strong interest in history, and in economics, and particularly in cultural development, and an understanding of and deep respect for the teachings of different religious traditions.

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