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News Release from: Cranfield University | Subject: Affordability Engineering
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 March 2005
Affordability engineering network
launched
Cranfield University has launched the 'Network of Excellence in Affordability Engineering' for organisations that need to reduce product costs and increase value.
With finite resources, organisations need to reduce costs and increase value throughout the life cycle of a product With this in mind, Cranfield University has launched the 'Network of Excellence in Affordability Engineering'
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 12 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Affordability engineering uses cost estimating and risk analysis information throughout the whole life cycle of a product to ensure it is affordable both to the manufacturer and consumer.
The network has received strong industrial support and current network members include: * AMS Radar Systems.
* Cognition.
* De Montfort University.
* Ford Motor Company.
* Galorath.
* Lotus Cars.
* Ohio State University.
* Queen's University.
* Rolls-Royce.
* Wolverhampton University.
Also supported by the Association of Cost Engineers and the Society for Cost Estimating and Analysis, the network will create a new research community made up of academic and industrial groups wanting to develop and promote the concept of affordability engineering.
Through the use of workshops, newsletters, research seminars, conferences and a web portal, network members will be able to exchange information, generate new research topics and disseminate best practices and procedures.
In this way the network will stimulate innovative and collaborative research projects and provide a forum for cross-industry knowledge sharing and international collaboration in the area of affordability engineering.
Dr Paul Blackwell of Cranfield's Department of Enterprise Integration said: "Cranfield boasts the largest research group in hardware cost estimating in the world and this move into affordability engineering allows us to expand upon our existing cost engineering capabilities.
"Costs generated at the conceptual design stage easily account for the greatest percentage of the whole life cycle costs of a product, making it very important that organisations develop affordability engineering frameworks and use affordability practices at an early stage." He continued: "We are currently looking to build up the network and would welcome new members to join us and contribute towards this exciting new opportunity to discuss and promote affordability engineering within the UK.".
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