- Room 016, Reynolds, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 586104
- antony.robotham@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Dr Antony Robotham
Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Biography
Biography
Qualifications
The Open University, 1989
The research used original experimental data with various bespoke aerodynamic prediction and time-domain computer models to evaluate V-VAWT control strategies.
BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
Leeds University, 1981
Final Year Project: Designed and developed a test rig to evaluate airflow through different configurations of DC motor end windings for GEC Machines Ltd.
Final Year Project: Designed and developed a test rig to evaluate airflow through different configurations of DC motor end windings for GEC Machines Ltd.
Experience
Nov 2012–Feb 2015
Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Senior Lecturer: Engineering Design
Teaching and research in Engineering Design and Virtual Engineering technologies. Engineers Without Borders.
Teaching and research in Engineering Design and Virtual Engineering technologies. Engineers Without Borders.
Feb 2010–Oct 2012
University of Liverpool, UK
Executive Director: Virtual Engineering Centre
Leadership of the Virtual Engineering Centre accountable to the University and Partners: Airbus (UK), BAE Systems, Morson Projects, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, and Northwest Aerospace Alliance. The aim of the VEC was to demonstrate to SMEs virtual engineering practice across the product lifecycle using integrated, interactive simulation and modelling software. Industrial sectors included aerospace, automotive, defence and nuclear. Manage quality of the Technical Team/Work Package outputs. Facilitate a strong culture of research excellence, knowledge exchange and collaborative engineering.
Sep 2000–Jan 2010
Leadership of the Virtual Engineering Centre accountable to the University and Partners: Airbus (UK), BAE Systems, Morson Projects, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, and Northwest Aerospace Alliance. The aim of the VEC was to demonstrate to SMEs virtual engineering practice across the product lifecycle using integrated, interactive simulation and modelling software. Industrial sectors included aerospace, automotive, defence and nuclear. Manage quality of the Technical Team/Work Package outputs. Facilitate a strong culture of research excellence, knowledge exchange and collaborative engineering.
Sep 2000–Jan 2010
University of Wolverhampton, UK
Associate Dean: School of Engineering and the Built Environment
Management of postgraduate taught and research programmes, knowledge transfer projects, and business support activities across the School of Engineering and the Built Environment. Project development, bidding for funding, and project leadership enabling external income streams of >£4m per annum through a range of School-wide activities. Health & Safety.
Management of postgraduate taught and research programmes, knowledge transfer projects, and business support activities across the School of Engineering and the Built Environment. Project development, bidding for funding, and project leadership enabling external income streams of >£4m per annum through a range of School-wide activities. Health & Safety.
Director: Innovative Product Development Centre
Strategic leadership and management of a university-based R&D centre providing product design and development services to engineering businesses using state-of-the art CAD, CNC, and rapid manufacturing technologies (e.g. direct metal laser sintering). Recruitment and line management of concurrent engineering delivery teams. Budget control & management of >£5m of RDA/ERDF revenue & capital income, delivery of outputs, and collation of results. Liaison with external partners, suppliers and funding bodies. Projects: Innovation Direct, West Midlands Technology Network, Polymer Cluster, Advanced Engineering Cluster, Process Innovation for Rapid Product Development, and the Manufacturing Advisory Service.
Principal Lecturer: Engineering Design
Section Leader for Computer-Aided Engineering Design subject group - Line management of academic staff; Teaching & Quality of Computer Aided Engineering Design and Computer Aided Product Design degrees; accreditation of programmes with IED. Development of MSc in Advanced Technology Management. Knowledge transfer projects.
Strategic leadership and management of a university-based R&D centre providing product design and development services to engineering businesses using state-of-the art CAD, CNC, and rapid manufacturing technologies (e.g. direct metal laser sintering). Recruitment and line management of concurrent engineering delivery teams. Budget control & management of >£5m of RDA/ERDF revenue & capital income, delivery of outputs, and collation of results. Liaison with external partners, suppliers and funding bodies. Projects: Innovation Direct, West Midlands Technology Network, Polymer Cluster, Advanced Engineering Cluster, Process Innovation for Rapid Product Development, and the Manufacturing Advisory Service.
Principal Lecturer: Engineering Design
Section Leader for Computer-Aided Engineering Design subject group - Line management of academic staff; Teaching & Quality of Computer Aided Engineering Design and Computer Aided Product Design degrees; accreditation of programmes with IED. Development of MSc in Advanced Technology Management. Knowledge transfer projects.
Nov 1988–Aug 2000
Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
Associate Professor: Product Development
New Product Development research for P* project with Danish industrial partners: Bang & Olufsen, Nokia, Danfoss. P* Objective – define next NPD paradigm. Teaching of Design for Manufacture. BEST Summer School: New Product Development.
Jan 1991–Oct 1998
Coventry University, UK
Senior Lecturer: Engineering Design
Programme Leader: BEng Automotive Engineering Design – a problem based learning programme with industrially defined projects and studio learning environment. Teaching CAD and Engineering Design at PG & UG levels. DTi Automotive Initiatives to China in collaboration with Design & Business Schools. DTI/EPSRC Foresight Vehicle ZEFREDO project with Daewoo Motor Company & Mayflower Vehicle Systems. CUCID research centre for integrated design.
Programme Leader: BEng Automotive Engineering Design – a problem based learning programme with industrially defined projects and studio learning environment. Teaching CAD and Engineering Design at PG & UG levels. DTi Automotive Initiatives to China in collaboration with Design & Business Schools. DTI/EPSRC Foresight Vehicle ZEFREDO project with Daewoo Motor Company & Mayflower Vehicle Systems. CUCID research centre for integrated design.
Oct 1986–Aug 1990
Portsmouth Polytechnic, UK
Senior Lecturer / Lecturer: Engineering Design
Teaching Engineering Design, CAD and CAE at BEng & HND level.
Teaching Engineering Design, CAD and CAE at BEng & HND level.
Jul 1980–Oct 1983
GEC Large Machines, UK
Quality Engineer
Implementation of BS5750 Quality Assurance procedures.
Implementation of BS5750 Quality Assurance procedures.
Graduate Engineer / Student Trainee
Graduate training programme. Design & test of end-winding airflow test rig.
Graduate training programme. Design & test of end-winding airflow test rig.
Professional membership
AMIMechE
Research
Research
Research interests
Engineering Design
Wind Energy Technology
Grants & contracts
KTP Academic Supervisor – Paramount 21 (Nov 2015- Oct 2017)
Executive Director – NWDA/ERDF Virtual Engineering Centre (Feb 2010-Dec 2012) £3.680k Grant Funding
Bid Manager on behalf of West Midlands University Consortium – West Midlands Innovation Advisory Service (Nov 2009)
Director of IPDC – ERDF Project: West Midlands Technology Network with Wolverhampton University (Jul 2003 – Dec 2008) £1,423k Grant
Director of IPDC – AWM/ERDF Project: Polymer Cluster with Wolverhampton-Telford Technology Corridor (Apr 2003 – Jun 2008) £1,064k Grant
Director of IPDC – AWM/ERDF Project: Advanced Engineering Cluster with Wolverhampton-Telford Technology Corridor (Apr 2003 – Jun 2008) £900k Grant
Director of IPDC – AWM Project: Process Innovation for Rapid Product Development (Sep 2006 – Dec 2009) £650k Grant
Director of IPDC – ERDF Project: Concurrent Engineering (Innovation-Direct) with Warwick Manufacturing Group (Jul 2002 – Jun 2005) £448k Grant
TCS Lead Academic – Tansun Ltd (Apr 2002 – Mar 2004) £145k Grant
KTP Academic Supervisor – Charlton & Jenrick (Sep 2007- Sep 2008) £88k Grant
KTP Academic Supervisor – Howell Tomkins (Jan 2006 – Jan 2008) £67k Grant
Proposer & Original PI – DTI/EPSRC Foresight Vehicle Programme research contract to investigate Zero Failure Rate Electronics Design Opportunities – ZEFREDO (GR/M26183 - 1998) £65k Grant + £65k Private sector
A.J. Robotham & G.N. Blount (Exploiter: MIRA). Coventry University HEFCE research award to investigate Design for Pedestrian Impact Protection. (1997)
P.J. Griffiths, A.J. Robotham & G.E. Vanner: (Exploiter: Rover Group). Coventry University HEFCE research award to investigate The Quality Engineering of Concept Design. (1995)
P. Hills, M. Tovey, & A.J. Robotham: (Exploiter: Caradon Mira). Coventry University HEFCE research award to investigate interaction between industrial and engineering designers at concept stage. (1993)
A.J. Robotham & Ambit: (Exploiter: DTI/ETSU) DTI/ETSU part funding of a video production 'Wind Turbines in the Landscape'. Completed January 1994. (Contract: W/13/00354/40, 1993)
Expert Witness for Renewable Energy Systems Limited – Penrhys Wind Farm Public Inquiry (1992)
Principal Investigator – Wind Farm Visual Impact Studies for Renewable Energy Systems Limited, Hemel Hempstead. (1991)
A.J. Robotham & Ambit Computer Graphics: (Exploiter: DTI/ETSU). DEn/ETSU part funding of further development of videomontage technique for the depiction of wind farms. (Contract: E/5A/6068/2465/001, 1990)
A.J. Robotham & Ambit Computer Graphics: (Exploiter: DTI/ETSU). DEn/ETSU part funding of initial development of videomontage technique for the depiction of wind farms. (Contract: E/5A/6068/2553, 1990)
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Articles
(2015) 'Numerical simulation of a patent technology for sealing of deep-sea oil wells using nonlinear finite element method' Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 133, 192-200 Publisher Site , DOI Open access
(2015) 'Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Aircraft Panel Deformations during Riveting Process' Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering 137, (1) 0-0 , DOI
(2013) 'Modulation of visually evoked postural responses by contextual visual, haptic and auditory information: a ‘virtual reality check’' PLoS ONE 8, (6) 1-15 , DOI
(2012) 'Autoclave cure simulation of composite structures applying implicit and explicit FE techniques' International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design 9, (1) 55-63 , DOI
(2011) 'Reliability assessment of 3D space frame structures applying stochastic finite element analysis' International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design. 9, (1) 1-9 , DOI
(2002) 'A modified Functions Mean Tree for modelling technical, semantic and business functions' Journal of Engineering Design, 13, (3) 243-251 , DOI
(1987) 'Effective CADCAM in an educational environment' Computer-Aided Engineering Journal 4, (6) 233-236 , DOI
Books
(1991) Computer-Aided Drawing and Design. Chapman & Hall
Chapters
(1999) 'A Framework for Product Development' in Mortensen NH; Sigurjonsson J Critical Enthusiasm: Contributions to Design Science Norges Teknisk Naturvitenskapelige Universite
Conference Papers
(2014) 'Investigation of Aircraft Panel Deformations during Riveting Process' 4th Aircraft Structural Design Conference Belfast, UK 0-/-1/20140-/-1/2014
(2014) 'Vertical Axis Wind Turbines - Are We Any Better Informed?' NZ Wind Energy Association Conference 2014 Wellington, New Zealand 4-/-0/20144-/-0/2014New Zealand Wind Energy Association Publisher Site Open access
(2013) 'Reflections on the Challenge of Developing Professional Engineering Designers and Engineering Design Technologists – A New Zealand Perspective' in Lindemann U; Venkataraman S; Kim YS; Lee SW ICED13: 19th International Conference on Engineering Design Seoul, Korea 8-/-0/20138-/-0/2013The Design Society 135-144 Publisher Site
(2012) 'The value of simulation and immersive virtual reality environments to design decision making in new product development' in Dargarm F; Delibasic B; Hernández JE; Liu S; Ribeiro R; Zaraté P EWG-DSS LIVERPOOL-2012 WORKSHOP Liverpool, UK 4-/-0/20124-/-0/2012University of Liverpool Management School
(2012) 'Development of a 1:1 Scale True Perception Virtual Reality System for Design Review in Automotive Industry' in Baines TS; Clegg BT; Harrison DK ICMR 2012: 10th International Conference on Manufacturing Research Aston Business School, Birmingham, UK 9-/-0/20129-/-0/2012468-473
(2011) 'Virtual Manufacturing of Composite Structure Applying Implicit and Explicit FE Techniques' in Haddad YM AES-ATEMA'2011 7th International Conference on Advances and Trends in Engineering Materials Milan, Italy 109-118
(2006) 'The Role of Technology Support Centres in stimulating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in SME Clusters' 6th International Entrepreneurship Forum New Venture Creation and the Creative Trajectory: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity in Business Riga, Latvia 8-/-0/20069-/-0/2006University of Essex Publisher Site Open access
(2003) 'Can Time-Compression Technologies Be Used In A Creative Process For Product Design? - The Worlds Most Useable Chopsticks' Time Compression Technologies 2003 Birmingham, UK
(2000) 'The Chain of Quality through Integrated Product Development' EDIProD 2000: 2nd International Seminar and Workshop on Engineering Design in Integrated Product Development Zielona Góra, Poland 0-/-1/20000-/-1/2000Open access
(2000) 'The Use of Function/Means Trees for Modelling Technical, Semantic and Business Functions' in Sivaloganathan S; Andrews PTJ Design for Excellence: Engineering Design Conference 2000 Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK 6-/-0/20006-/-0/2000John Wiley & Sons
(2000) 'Multi-Board Concept - A Scenario Based Approach for Supporting Product Quality and Life Cycle Oriented Design' 3rd International Symposium on Tools and Methods of Competitive Engineering Delft, Nederlands 4-/-0/20004-/-0/2000Open access
(2000) 'Towards a New Framework for Product Development' in Hansen CT NordDesign 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark Technical University of Denmark. 1-10 Open access
(2000) 'What is the new paradigm in product quality?' NordDesign 2000 Copenhagen, Denmark Technical University of Denmark 149-157 Open access
(1999) 'Improving Conceptual Design Quality by Use of QFD & DFMA Processes' in Lindemann U; Birkhofer H; Meerkamm H; Vajna S ICED99: 12th International Conference on Engineering Design Munich, Germany 8-/-0/19998-/-0/1999WDK
(1999) 'Practitioners of Design for Quality' in Lindemann U; Birkhofer H; Meerkamm H; Vajna S ICED99: 12th International Conference on Engineering Design Munich, Germany 8-/-0/19998-/-0/1999WDK
(1998) 'Creating Practitioners of Design for Quality Through Education' WDK Workshop: Pedagogics in Design Education Pilsen, Czech Republic Open access
(1998) 'Problem Based Learning and its use on the Automotive Engineering Design Course at Coventry University' in Gilchrist I SEED98: Engineering Design Education Conference ‘98 Design at the Interface Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, University of London, London, UK 6-/-0/19987-/-0/1998Open access
(1997) 'Knowledge Based Industrial Design' in Riitahuhta A ICED97: 11th International Conference on Engineering Design Tampere, Finland Tampere University of Technology 231-234
(1997) 'Design With Attitude: A Key World Class Method' in Riitahuhta A ICED97: 11th International Conference on Engineering Design Tampere, Finland 8-/-0/19978-/-0/1997535-540 Open access
(1995) 'Design Practice in the UK Car Industry: How Coventry University is Addressing the Needs' in Hubka V ICED95: 10th International Conference on Engineering Design Prague, Czech Republic 203-204 Open access
(1995) 'Understanding Concept Design' 11th ISPE/IEE/IFAC International Conference on CAD/CAM, Robotics & Factories of the Future: CARS & FOF '95 Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
(1994) 'Design Practice in the UK Car Industry: How Coventry University is Addressing the Needs' International Workshop Specialized Design Sciences 1994 Pilsen, Czech Republic 1-/-1/19941-/-1/1994Open access
(1992) 'Progress in the development of a video-based wind farm simulation technique' in Clayton BR 14th British Wind Energy Association Conference Nottingham, UK 3-/-0/19923-/-0/1992Open access
(1992) 'Visual Impact Assessment - There's more to it than meets the eye!' 14th British Wind Energy Association Conference 3-/-0/19923-/-0/1992Open access
(1986) 'The Aerodynamic Control of the 'V' Type Vertical Axis Wind Turbine by Blade Tip Control' in Anderson MB; Powles SJR 8th British Wind Energy Association Conference London Mechanical Engineering Publications Ltd. 279-286 Open access
(1985) 'Further Developments in the Taylor 'V' Type VAWT Concept' in Bilgen E; Hollands KGT Intersol 85: 9th Biennial Congress of the International Solar Energy Society Montreal, Canada 6-/-0/19856-/-0/1985Pergamon Press 2042-2046 Open access
(1985) 'The Taylor V-Type Vertical Axis Wind Turbine: Current Status' Wind Power 85 San Francisco, California, USA 8-/-0/19858-/-0/1985American Wind Energy Association 429-433
Reports
(1998) Nantucket Wind Farm Proposal - Some Observations.
(1994) Wind Turbines In The Landscape: Final Report & Script. Energy Technology Support Unit Open access
(1992) Proof of Evidence of Antony John Robotham, Section 78 Appeal, Wind Farm at Mynydd Tyntyle, Penrhys. Renewable Energy Systems Ltd
(1991) Visual Impact Study: Proposed A******r Wind Farm. Renewable Energy Systems Ltd
(1991) Visual Impact Study: Proposed Carland Cross Wind Farm. Renewable Energy Systems Ltd
(1991) Visual Impact Study: Proposed Coal Clough Wind Farm. Renewable Energy Systems Ltd
(1991) Visual Impact Study: Proposed M***** **********n Wind Farm. Renewable Energy Systems Ltd
(1991) Visual Impact Study: Proposed Mynydd Tyntyle Wind Farm. Renewable Energy Systems Ltd
(1991) Visual Impact Study: Proposed Rheidol Wind Farm. Renewable Energy Systems Ltd
Performances
21/07/2013California Dreamin' - Inspiring Innovative Car Design and Development. Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand Publisher Site
19/06/201222/06/2012Multisensory interactions in the automatic control of postural sway. 13th International Multisensory Research Forum, Oxford, UK
25/10/201126/10/2011Immersive Environments for Product and Process Review. STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, UK
25/10/201126/10/2011Integration through Product Lifecycle Engineering. STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, UK
18/10/201118/10/2011Virtual Engineering Applications: A Case Study with Bentley Motors. Optis China Users Meeting, Shanghai, China
06/10/201107/10/2011Virtual Realities: Exploring the Pluses and Minuses of 3-D Visualisation Technologies to Sky Rocket Productivity. Industrial Design Summit 2011, Montreux, Switzerland Publisher Site
07/07/200607/07/2006Designing the Future: Awe and Wonder. DATA Conference, Telford, UK
Other Publications
Wind Turbines in the Landscape.
Personal
Personal
Additional information
- Royal Academy of Engineering: Presidents Special Award for Pandemic Services Dec 2020
- AWM Lord Stafford Special Award for ‘Living for Innovation’ Nov 2004
- AWM Lord Stafford Special Award for ‘Contribution to Innovation’ Oct 2003
- SEBE ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Dec 2002