DIP Finalists Complete Accredited Polymer Training with Sierra 57 Consult at FANUC UK

The six Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) 2026 finalists have just finished a four-day accredited training course with a fresh perspective on polymer materials science – and new ideas on how to continue developing their products. The course, held at FANUC UK’s training academy in Coventry, and delivered by specialist polymer training organisation, Sierra 57 Consult, is a unique benefit to being a finalist in DIP 2026, this being a part of the prize.

Established in 1985, DIP is the longest-running student plastics design award in Europe. Students submit entries digitally, and finalists are invited to present their concepts to a panel of judges.

With introductory modules focusing on principles and applications of machinery systems and polymer/plastics materials, the students went on to more in-depth insights revolving around mould tool design, different uses and applications of polymers, their chemical structure, how polymers are classified and the use of chemical additives in polymers.

Sierra 57 Consult’s polymer engineering and training director, Neville Dudley, said: “All the students remained highly engaged throughout the week. Most of them spoke specifically about their products and asked very pertinent questions regarding component detail, with, in one case, specific questions about how tool design and material selection would influence the product. I will hopefully keep in touch with them and will be very interested to see how their careers progress.”

Here is just a selection of the comments DIP received from the finalists regarding the training course:

• “Neville was an amazing teacher and incredibly welcoming and great at explaining everything and made my time here fun”
• “Neville was extremely clear in his teaching. I went from knowing nothing – getting to 16 per cent in the pre-test … to getting 100 per cent in post-test.”
• “Everything was perfect, the whole class was very engaging”

DIP chairman, Martin Sixsmith, said: “Our finalists have clearly derived a fresh perspective on the world of polymers and how they are used to create the products we all depend on in this modern and high-tech age. Our sincere thanks go to FANUC UK and Sierra 57 Consult for accommodating them and making the course so enjoyable.”

The finalists will now go forward to final judging, which takes place in London on May 8th at the headquarters of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. FANUC UK is a global pioneer in factory automation and a technology leader in computer numeric control machining, robotics and ROBOMACHINE machine tools.

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