Automation and robotics

Automation and robotics have a key role to play in improving productivity in UK industry.

For over 15 years we have bridged the gap between universities and industry to develop automated solutions that create real impact for businesses — increasing productivity, reducing waste and increasing sustainability.

How automation can help your business

There are many ways robotics and automation can improve the way we make things. From automated assembly and disassembly, to robots that can machine very precisely, all the way through to data analytics, AI and industrial control systems — it’s all about making your processes more efficient and repeatable, whilst freeing up staff to spend their time on more high-value work.

We’re also working with industry to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturing today — sustainability. We can use robots to speed up the process of disassembling parts at the end of their life so components can be reused and recycled.

By taking manufacturing to the next level, we can get more out of raw materials, and minimise our impact on the environment.

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Key capabilities

Accurate robotics

We take commercially available automation solutions and adapt them for your business, allowing you to work with greater accuracy, speed and dexterity.

Automated assembly and disassembly

Collaborative automation

Mobile robotics

Novel robotics

Reconfigurable automation

Reconfigurability is a key element of product prototyping for rapid deployment and reduction in time-to-market. We support the design and prototyping of automated, physical and digital reconfigurable manufacturing technologies and processes.

We can use automation to help your assembly cell adapt and reconfigure when presented with a large variance or new versions of a component, keeping your production flowing.

Robot machining

We use a range of robotic platforms to continually develop machining capabilities. We work closely with OEMs and tooling suppliers to optimise processes and use the flexibility of robots to tackle machining tasks that cannot be achieved in a practical and cost-effective manner using traditional CNC machining centres, giving greater flexibility and footprint when compared to a traditional CNC system.

How we can help your business

We work with companies of all sizes to develop automated solutions to their challenges. If you want your product made better, faster, cheaper or with less waste — we can help.

Drawing on our vast network of industrial partners, we’ll develop or demonstrate an automated system that works for your business. By testing solutions and ensuring they’re right for you, we take the risk out of introducing robotics to your manufacturing process.

Whatever your business size, we can help. We developed a robotic countersinking process for BAE Systems that saved them millions of pounds. And at the other end of the scale, we helped a local SME business Footprint Tools increase production of builders’ line pins by integrating a secondhand robot into their assembly line.

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Automation and robotics