Member Article

Silverstone Park delivers world-class metrology education for engineering and mechanic students

Engineering and motor sport mechanic students based at Silverstone Park have been given a rare insight into some of the most technically advanced machinery that could play a vital role in their careers, as part of the estate’s recognition of World Metrology Day (20th May).

Equipment from the Silverstone Park Metrology Facility, managed by Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (HMI), was specially transported to the University Technical College (UTC) which, in its fourth year, now teaches 450 students per academic year – many there being taught engineering as a specialist subject.

The Facility, jointly run by Silverstone Park developer MEPC and HMI, is the only dedicated sub-contract inspection metrology centre in the UK. Metrology is all about precision measurement in engineering and the Facility’s coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) – provided by HMI, which is the world leader in the field – are among the most sophisticated in existence.

Some 100 students at the UTC were able to operate an articulated measuring arm and laser tracker, which are relied on by the likes of Formula 1 teams and prestigious Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

A member of the UTC’s Engineering Team commented: “The students were able to use the equipment and marvel at the intricacy of the detail that could be picked out when scanning a human hand – or even a face in some instances.

“For those wishing to take the Engineering Manufacturing qualification in Year 11 this was an invaluable opportunity to bring the art of measurement to life; for those choosing Systems, it was an experience that they will remember for a long time to come.

“The resounding question from students was ‘When can we get one?’ In anyone’s book that is the mark of successful event. Many thanks to MEPC and Hexagon.”

This followed a visit to the Facility by more than 40 National College for Motorsport students, who were shown how metrology and its machines work by Hexagon’s qualified technicians.

While race car mechanics is the College’s focus, there is a natural cross-over in some areas with engineering.

Principal, Jim Harrod, explained: “Although there isn’t a direct relationship with their course and career path, our students gained a good understanding of component manufacture and the processes involved.

“Quality control processes probably won’t form a large part of their careers as race mechanics, but they are a great insight into engineering processes that form part of motorsport engineering.

“Understanding ‘all the sides of the coin’ can only be of benefit between mechanic and engineer, and they have been granted an invaluable insight by people who are relied on by the best in the business.” The College has recently expanded on site at Silverstone Park with the opening of a second brand new building at a cost of £1.5 million. Its classrooms and more modern workshops will enable the College to double the number of students to around 200 per academic year.

Twelve years since it opened, the College has a reputation for being arguably the best in the UK for producing some of most skilled mechanics at motor sport’s highest levels, including F1, World Rally and World Endurance.

To find out more about Silverstone Park, please visit silverstone-park.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Ross .