§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will give details of personnel at the Industrial Applications Unit at Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern; how many qualified scientists and engineers work in it; how much it cost during 1967; and what it has done to identify advanced electronic techniques in industry at large.
§ Mr. FowlerThe Unit consists of 3 scientists, 2 electronics engineers and 1 typist. During 1967 it cost approximately £22,000. Areas in which the Unit has encouraged the use of advanced electronics techniques in industry include:
- 1. The development of static inverters for use in the electro-heating industry.
- 2. The use of in-process guaging for machine tool control using optical and electronic sensors and servo systems.
- 3. The application of infra-red-techniques in industries where surface temperature variations are important.
- 4. The use of microwave and optical techniques for distance and velocity measurement in various industries where non-contacting methods are necessary, such as the steel and transport industries.
- 5. The use of real time computing, concentrating on the problems of the man communicating with his machine in process control and management systems.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what the Industrial Applications Unit at Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern, has done to help the paper industry in Scotland.
§ Mr. FowlerThe Unit is currently working with the Paper Division of the Research Association for the Paper and6W Board, Printing and Packaging Industries (P.I.R.A.) and with two large paper manufacturers on the development of methods of measuring moisture content in paper mills. Wastage due to incorrect moisture content is a serious problem and improved measuring would have a considerable impact on the economics of the paper industry, much of which is based in Scotland.