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Schemes for University Lecturers
Industrial Secondment Scheme: Case Study
Development of a remote monitoring device for monitoring corrosion protection equipment attached to pipelines
 Dr Jack Hale
Reader in Structural Dynamics - Newcastle University
Seconded to Advanced Engineering Solutions Ltd
Jack Hale completed his
undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering in
1974 and completed his MSc and PhD in Mechanical
Engineering at UMIST in 1979 and 1983 respectively.
He is a Chartered engineer and Fellow of the
Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the
Institute of Physics. Having held a number of
engineering posts in industry for 9 years, he took
his lectureship post in the School of Mechanical and
Systems Engineering at Newcastle University in 1991
and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2000 and to
Reader in Structural Dynamics in 2002.
Why a secondment?
Jack’s industrial experience
was some time ago and the main aim of his secondment
was to update his knowledge of and experience in
up-to-date industrial practice with a view to
informing the teaching of Manufacturing Technology
to Mechanical engineering and Marine Technology
degree programme students.
The main objectives of the secondment were:
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To develop a remote
monitoring device for the detection of
malfunctioning cathodic protection units.
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To gain specific insight
into the relationship between the technical and
financial/commercial aspects of the product
development process.
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To gather material
suitable for case studies on product development
to enhance his teaching.
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To strengthen links and
collaboration between Advanced Engineering
Solutions Ltd and Newcastle University.
Advanced Engineering Solutions Ltd
Advanced Engineering Solutions
Limited (AESL) is a Small –to-Medium sized
Enterprise specializing in inspection and
refurbishment of pipelines. Jack had previous links
with AESL staff over a number of years and the
agreed project enabled him to concentrate mainly on
the management of the product development,
determining the technical requirement and setting
the specification, taking part in the design and
manufacture of the prototype, as well as in
laboratory testing and field trials and in preparing
the batch production.
Benefits
The secondment has given Jack
the opportunity to manage the development of a new
product for an SME company and to collect material
for case studies for his Manufacturing Technology 1
first-year course.
The main tasks in the
development were assessing the financial viability
of the project, defining the technical
specifications and budgets, obtaining a DTI grant to
pay for the development, finding suitable
contractors and organising manufacture. At all
stages Jack maintained contact with a potential
customer to ensure that the product would have a
market, ensuring a technical edge on competitor
products and providing a saving to customers whilst
making a profit for the company.
‘There is no doubt in my
mind that this will help me to put over to the
students the important truth that product
development is only partly a technical process. Just
as important are the financial and organisational
aspects of the project which ensure that it will end
in a saleable product which will make money for the
company.
My time in the company has
been rewarding for me and I think my work there will
provide a small but profitable income stream for
several years. But most importantly it will be
useful for my students, whom I will be able to teach
with more authority on the vital topic of how to
turn ideas into products.’
Jack Hale
Reader in Structural Dynamics, Newcastle
University
Statement from the Industrial Host
‘From the point of view of
Advanced Engineering Solutions Ltd, Dr Hale’s
secondment has been very successful. He has helped
us to quickly develop a new product, an automatic
device for monitoring corrosion protection equipment
attached to pipelines in remote locations. As a
supplier to the pipeline industry, the Company
should benefit from the product development and I am
confident that with appropriate marketing steady
sales will be achieved.
A secondary but significant
further benefit has been Dr Hale’s successful
integration into the business team. The company
employs a good number of graduate engineers and his
enhancement of the academic ability within the
company has helped them to use proper engineering
analysis in their work.
Malcolm Wayman
Managing Director, Advanced Engineering Solutions
Ltd’
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