AFD Systems secures Made Smarter funding for 3D scanning upgrade
AFD Systems, headquartered in Lancashire, UK, has secured a £20,000 technology adoption grant from the Made Smarter programme to invest in a high-precision 3D laser scanner capable of capturing detailed geometric data, from individual components through to full aircraft surveys.
According to AFD, the partnership has enabled it to enter new markets and scale its operations over the past two years, thereby expanding its digital capabilities.
Prior to engaging with Made Smarter, AFD Systems had established technical knowledge in systems integration, airframe engineering and Additive Manufacturing. However, its identification of an opportunity to integrate advanced 3D scanning technology led the company to reach out to Made Smarter for funding in order to connect its design, simulation and manufacturing workflows more effectively.
“At the start of the programme, our manufacturing division was in its infancy, with limited equipment and capability,” stated Garry Sellick, Additive Manufacturing Manager at AFD Systems. “Reverse engineering projects were beginning to increase, but we were relying on manual measurement methods. For complex geometries and critical surfaces, it became clear that we needed a more advanced solution, which led to the integration of 3D scanning technology.”
Sellick added that the investment supported the establishment of a dedicated metrology and reverse engineering team, which has since continued to invest in additional software and hardware, including a Hexagon coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
Jerrod Hartley, CEO of AFD Systems, added, “Our work with Made Smarter has accelerated digital transformation across the business. Since 2022, AFD Systems has grown from a small operation into a team of more than thirty specialists.”
Hartley added that the company plans to recruit a further twenty engineering apprentices, graduates and specialists over the next two years.
According to AFD, the adoption of digital workflows has enabled it to produce hundreds of parts annually, with a strategic target of more than 1,500 parts per year within five years. The company has also expanded its internal training initiatives, recruiting apprentices and upskilling staff within its manufacturing division to address skills shortages in the UK aerospace sector.
As AFD Systems expands into new markets and develops future product lines, it states that the foundations established through the Made Smarter programme will support continued growth.
