Partners - SME-AG Participants
SMART Group - UK, SME-AG
SME Membership: 275
Profile: SMART stands for Surface Mount and Related Technologies. The group is an industrial body comprising specialists from the whole range of electronics, and other, manufacturing activities and also academics and research groups. Its aim is to keep manufacturing industry as up-to-date as possible with information on technologies and techniques. The group acted as an IAG for the FP6 Leadout project. (A project aimed at eliminating the use of Lead in the manufacture of printed circuit boards). As a result of the SMART Group's activity Leadout was adopted wholeheartedly by the industry. The SMART Group anticipate doing exactly the same in the case of Ship-Inspector.
Role in the Project/Tasks Attributed: Electronics and sensor SME-AG who have experience in European project. The SMART Group's track record in promoting the advanced 'Leadout' technology FP 6 project fits them admirably to fulfil the tasks of aiding/advising in sensor development and dissemination/exploitation of project results.
Benefits to the Consortium: The SMEs value the presence of the SMART Group in the consortium because of its track record in the promotion of new technologies (e.g. Leadout). The repetition of this in the case of Ship-Inspector will ensure rapid take up of the technology.
Staff involved: Peter Grundy is a consultant and contract resource mainly to the Electronic Manufacturing Industry both for the European arena and in the USA in conjunction with ITM Consulting. His area of responsibility includes working with OEMs and Contract Electronic Assemblers to solve assembly problems, optimise facility operations and introduce automation into non-automated arenas. Also working on this project are Anthony Gordon (company secretary) and Bob Willis (member of the board).
Reasons for Participation: The SMART Group wish to participate in Ship-Inspector because it sees it as providing its clients with an ideal opportunity to break into the large and expanding shipping service inspection and NDT market.
