NORTH WESTERN REGION
WELCOME!
Welcome to the North Western Region and our programme of events and activities. We are one of the most active and innovative Regions in the IMechE, thanks to the great work done by our energetic volunteers within the Areas and Young Member Panels, and also through the specialist Divisions and Groups.
As you will note from the panel on the left, the Region comprises Area committees in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, South and West Cumbria, plus Young Member Panels at Regional and local Area level. We also have active Divisions in our Region, representing the Aerospace, Automotive, Power, Process and Rail sectors.
Please have a look at our Annual Review for 2009/10, which will give you a flavour of what the Region is and what we do: NWRAnnualReview2010.doc
Across the Region, we have a programme of over 60 events, visits and activities to assist your professional development, to add to your learned knowledge, and importantly, to provide inspiration for a new generation of younger people to become engineers.
Our Young Members continue to take the lead on some terrific projects. Having completed the first ever IMechE Public Challenge in 2008, there are now five Engineering Your Future events held across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Cumbria.
Ian Grant is co-ordinating the excellent GreenPower project, to give secondary schools a taste at building and racing an electric vehicle.
The Greater Manchester Area main panel organise the Engineering Design Challenge, engaging mechanical engineering students from the top universities across the Region.
Volunteers are always welcome to help drive these projects, which really do help get across the importance and excitement of engineering for the future. We have a flourishing network of Science & Engineering Ambassadors that are available to work in schools and academic establishments, supporting events in conjunction with the local STEM Centre teams.
We are ably supported by our Regional Business Development Manager, David Barrett, who provides numerous ‘Routes To Professional Registration’ workshops as well as developing Company-Based Registration schemes, to make transition to full membership of the Institution as straightforward as possible. Please contact David directly if you want to find out more – either as an individual, or on behalf of your Company: d_barrett@imeche.org or call 07834 867068.
If you want to find out what is happening where you live or work, then please contact the Area or Division nearest to you – you will be most welcome!
Ivan Dean, Chairman, IMechE North Western Region 2009-2011
02 September 2010 | 18:30 - 20:00
Interested in getting involved with the Young Members IMechE in West Cumbria? Come along and join us for our monthly meeting and learn about the exciting plans the committee are making for the year ahead. We are looking for new members to help drive this Young Members Panel forward.
04 September 2010 | 14:00 - 17:00
As Stripe Sponsors of Bloodhound, Members have been invited to a Technical lecture on the latest developments of Bloodhound SSC. There is also an opportunity to see the full size show car on its first visit to Lancashire. The event is part of a weekend of activities organised by the TVR Owners Club which also coincides with the start of the illuminations.
07 September 2010 | 18:00 - 18:30
The Desertec concept -- the generation of solar and wind power in desert regions, together with renewable sources of power in other regions -- is probably the single most effective means of supplying the world with clean energy and weaning the world off fossil fuels. Less than 1% of the world's deserts could produce as much electricity as the world is using now. It is feasible and economic to transmit power for 3000 km or more. 90% of the world's population lives within 2700 km of a desert.
Desertec also promises additional benefits including desalination of sea water using waste heat from power generation.
This talk will describe the main elements of the concept, including the key technologies of concentrating solar power (CSP) and low-loss HVDC transmission. Further information may be found at www.desertec-uk.org.uk and www.desertec.org.
08 September 2010 - 10 September 2010 | 10:00 - 17:00
The world is increasingly changing. The beginning of a new decade represents
an ideal opportunity to challenge the norm and make a positive step-change to
exceed future expectations. Unprecedented levels of new railway development
are on the horizon, both in Britain and overseas. One of the biggest challenges
the railway industry now faces is the ability to deliver these schemes effciently.
Effective project control and technical competency are key factors to this, as are
the identifcation of innovative new methods and the management of change.
This seminar explores the current strategies, projects and innovation that aim to transform our railways today, in order to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Many
aspects of the railways will be considered, from rolling stock to operations and
management, delivered by industry professionals working directly within these areas.
16 September 2010 | 07:15 - 20:15
The facility trains firemen from 86 countries around the world and the visit will give you an opportunity to get a close up view of the many and varied test rigs and how they can be operated to simulate any type of fire and watch the firemen in the training exercises.
16 September 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
Kenneth Fergusson, Trustee of the UCG Association, will present compelling arguments to support a clean, indigenous energy option through underground coal gasification.
21 September 2010 | 18:30 - 20:30
Clean Air Power develops Dual-Fuel technologies combining diesel and natural gas. This visit will combine an overview of the technology and development of the company and it's products, plus a tour of the facilities
29 September 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
06 October 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
12 October 2010 | 18:30 - 20:30
The development of the Jaguar XJ
13 October 2010 | 19:00 - 21:00
Alan Dawson will introduce and show off his AdaptaHaus system for the design and construction of energy-saving, fully engineered, high quality housing - to be featured in a forthcoming Grand Designs programme.
After a presentation and tour of the design and manufacturing facilities at Lillyhall, we will then visit Alan's new AdaptaHaus.
13 October 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
Joint with RINA, PESC and IMarEST
20 October 2010 | 06:00 - 21:00
A full day trip to the Trust at Ripley to see their steam heritage on display and under restoration. This includes the Duchess of Sutherland, the current Royal Train steam locomotive, which is undergoing maintenance following recent traffic duties on steam specials, plus, a guided tour round a restored LMS Dynamometer Car.
PRIOR BOOKING ESSENTIAL - LIMITED PLACES
Trip cost, including transport from West Cumbria to/from Ripley: £30 per person, payable in advance.
To book your place, please contact Jim Skeen: James.Skeen@nuvia.com
21 October 2010 | 11:00 - 13:00
This workshop is for new and experienced Professional Review Interviewers, Industrial Advisors and anyone interested in volunteering as a Professional Review Interviewer. The session will begin at 11:00am with registration from 10:30am. The session concludes with lunch from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Attendees will be given updates on the assessment process and real case studies will be discussed. Attendees will be encouraged to share their assessment experiences. The workshop is free to attend.
21 October 2010 | 14:00 - 16:00
This workshop is for:
- Recent BEng graduates who wish to apply for CEng registration
- Recent HNC or Foundation Degree students who wish to apply for IEng registration
- Mentors and Line Managers who manage graduates and develop progression routes
- Post Graduate University teaching staff and course leaders who wish to understand the demand for individual Masters modules
- Anyone interested in gaining an understanding of UK-SPEC academic benchmark requirements
The session will begin at 2:00pm with registration from 13:45pm. The session concludes at about 4:00pm. The session will include an overview of the academic requirements for CEng and IEng registration and real case studies of Further Learning Plans will be discussed. The workshop is free to attend.
27 October 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
03 November 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
04 November 2010 | 13:30 - 22:00
ANAF 2010 -
Where is the Region’s future Aerospace business coming from and how much could there be?
09 November 2010 | 18:30 - 20:30
The New Bentley
The Pinnacle of British Motoring
10 November 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
17 November 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
A talk by the Environment Agency, the Government body charged with managing our interaction with natural forces, about what caused the devastating floods of November 2009, and what engineering lessons can be learnt from this 'biblical' event.
24 November 2010 | 19:30 - 21:00
10 December 2010 | 19:20 - 21:45
A detailed investigation and tour of the Jennings Brewery facilities in Cockermouth, to find out why their products are so excellent. Practical sample analysis is part of the evening..
12 January 2011 | 19:30 - 21:00
19 January 2011 | 19:30 - 21:00
A talk by Martin Allman of Resource Cumbria on the challenges facing the task of reducing, recycling and reusing the tonnes of waste generated in Cumbria, and the technology being deployed.
25 January 2011 | 18:30 - 20:30
The future of Automotive Powertrains in a rapidly changing Global Environment
08 February 2011 | 18:30 - 20:30
Reducing Carbon Emissions - Can the Automobile make a positive contribution?
09 February 2011 | 19:00 - 21:00
A visit round one of the most advanced CHP plants in West Cumbria.
Note that due to the size of the plant, the visit is restricted to 12 persons maximum. Prior booking is essential - contact George Williams: georgew@lcwc.ac.uk
09 March 2011 | 19:30 - 21:00
22 March 2011 | 18:00 - 20:00
Joint event with the Newcomen Society
12 April 2011 | 18:30 - 20:30
Virtual development process of F1 Cars
13 April 2011 | 19:30 - 21:00
28 April 2011 | 18:00 - 19:30
A talk on the environmental side of the plant and the treatment methods used to treat the water, plus a tour of the plant and the operational methods used.
The visit is open to a maximum of 30 people, and prior booking is essential through Ian Lupton - 01946 810095
17 May 2011 | 18:30 - 21:00
Evening visit and talk by the museum curator
