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24 September 2019

Tuesday 24 September 2019, Whitley, UK – Engineers from Jaguar Land Rover are working on the next generation of protective workplace clothing – a lightweight 3D-printed glove which could help better protect employees from the threat of a musculoskeletal disorder.

The 3D glove is designed for people working on the production line, for example those required to fit clips or fasteners into the chassis during assembly of Jaguar and Land Rover’s luxury vehicles.

Musculoskeletal disorders, which include more than 100 different types of conditions, make up around 30 per cent of all workplace injuries that result in time off* and account for a third of the money paid in compensation to employees. Musculoskeletal disorders affect an estimated 10% of the global population, rising to as much as 40% in certain industries**.

Engineers at Jaguar Land Rover’s Gaydon site – home to one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the UK – saw an opportunity to use the company’s advanced manufacturing expertise to design and 3D print a lattice-style structure which would provide support to reduce muscle fatigue, but also be flexible and comfortable enough to wear during an eight-hour shift. Using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software, the team modelled designs in different densities using a variety of materials for testing. The glove was printed using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), ULTRASINT, a new material, ideal for flexible parts, developed by BASF for HP’s solution.

Following feedback from trials, the team is now working on a second-generation prototype. It will include a foam pad made using impact additive D30 – a polymer material which absorbs impacts when placed under pressure. This will make the glove suitable for those who fit parts, such as door casings, using the palm of the hand.

In the short term the gloves will support workers across Jaguar Land Rover’s facilities, helping to protect against musculoskeletal disorders. These form part of a wider future plan to deploy a range of technologies to assist those with muscle weakness or patients who suffer from physical or neurological disorders – helping employees return to work.  

The health and wellbeing of our workforce remains our priority across all factories and facilities. Technologies like the 3D-printed glove allow us to use the world-leading expertise and equipment we have, in-house in this case HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, to protect the hands of our makers, developing equipment that will make Jaguar Land Rover a great place to work, now and in the future.

Additive Manufacturing Strategic Engineer for Jaguar Land Rover
Chris Noble

The Jaguar Land Rover Additive Manufacturing Centre produces over 80,000 parts a year for a variety of applications, including functional prototyping, design mock-ups and manufacturing assembly aids and fixtures. Jaguar Land Rover is also able to 3D print parts for production cars with the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 one of the first vehicles to use them.

The programme forms part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Destination Zero vision; an ambition to make societies safer and healthier, and the environment cleaner. Delivered through relentless innovation, the company’s focus is on achieving a future of zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion – across its facilities, and through its products and services.

Further information

Jaguar Land Rover PR social channels:

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlr_news?lang=en @JLR_News

For more information visit www.media.jaguarlandrover.com or contact:

Sally Clift

Senior Communications Manager

T: +44 (0) 7384 430009

E: sclift2@jaguarlandrover.com

 

About Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands: Land Rover, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles; and Jaguar, one of the world’s premier luxury sports saloon and sports car marques.

At Jaguar Land Rover, we are driven by a desire to deliver class-leading vehicles, which will provide experiences our customers will love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe. In 2018 Jaguar Land Rover sold 592,708 vehicles in 128 countries.

We support around 260,000 people through our retailer network, suppliers and local businesses. At heart we are a British company, with two major design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an Engine Manufacturing Centre and soon to be opened Battery Assembly Centre. We also have vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria and Slovakia. We have seven technology hubs, in the UK these are based in Manchester, Warwick (NAIC) and London. Globally these are located in Shannon, Ireland, Portland, USA, Budapest, Hungary and Changshu, China.

We have a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles as well as continuing to offer the latest diesel and petrol engines. From 2020 all new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicle models offer the option of electrification, giving our customers even more choice.

 

Notes to Editors

* US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); 2013

** BBC News