The International Conference on Manufacturing Research (ICMR) is a major event for academics and industrialists who are engaged in manufacturing research. Held annually in the UK since the late 1970s, and called the National Conference on Manufacturing Research (NCMR) until 2002, the conference is renowned as a friendly and inclusive environment that brings together a broad community of researchers who share a common goal: developing and managing the technologies and operations that are key to sustaining the success of manufacturing businesses. For over three decades, ICMR has been the main manufacturing research conference organised in the UK, successfully bringing researchers, academics and industrialists together to share their knowledge and expertise. Initiated as a National Conference by the Consortium of UK University Manufacturing and Engineering (COMEH), it became an International Conference in 2003. COMEH is an independent body established in 1978. Its main aim is to promote manufacturing engineering education, training and research. To achieve this, the Consortium maintains a close liaison with government bodies concerned with the training and continuing professional development of engineers, while responding to the appropriate consultative and discussion documents and other initiatives. COMEH is represented on the Engineering Professor's council (EPC) and it organises and supports manufacturing engineering education research conferences and symposia. The hosts for the National Conferences on Manufacturing Research (NCMR) were:

1985 Nottingham

1986 Napier

1987 Nottingham

1988 Sheffield

1989 Huddersfield

1991 Hatfield

1992 Central England

1993 Bath

1994 Loughborough

1995 De Montfort

1996 Bath

1997 Glasgow Caledonian

1998 Derby

1999 Bath

2000 East London

2001 Cardiff

2002 Leeds Metropolitan

In 2002, the conference was accorded the title International Conference on Manufacturing Research (ICMR) to reflect new trends in manufacturing engineering internationally and to promote the exchange of research and engineering application experiences to

a wider audience. The ICMR has, since its introduction, incorporated the NCMR. The 15th ICMR incorporates the 32nd NCMR. The host universities for ICMR have been:

2003 Strathclyde

2004 Sheffield Hallam

2005 Cranfield

2006 Liverpool John Moores

2007 Leicester De Montfort

2008 Brunel

2009 Warwick

2010 Durham

2011 Glasgow Caledonian

2012 Aston

2013 Cranfield

2014 Southampton Solent

2015 Bath

2016 Loughborough

2017 Greenwich

Acknowledgements

On behalf of the ICMR2017 organising committee first foremost we would like to thank COMEH for inviting the University of Greenwich to host ICMR 2017. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank all of the contributing authors for the high quality papers submitted, the reviewers for their time and constructive comments, the keynote speakers for sharing their experiences to the delegates and the local organising committee for their meticulous preparation of the conference. We would like to acknowledge FESTO and BAE Systems for their sponsorship and support for the conference. We wish every delegate a successful conference and look forward to welcoming you in London.

James Gao, Mohammed El Souri and Simeon Keates

Editors