Engineering news
Aimed at driving growth across manufacturing industries, the grants were awarded by UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Made Smarter Innovation challenge today (20 February). Successful schemes also include robotic post-processing of 3D-printed metal parts, and software development for automotive and aerospace factory deployment.
Delivered by Innovate UK, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council, the money will fund solutions designed to improve productivity, sustainability and resilience within factory production areas.
Spanning areas such as process control, machine vision and end gripper technology, the schemes secured between £107,000 and £535,000. Each project will last nine to 15 months, and will test solutions in real-life factory conditions in sectors including food and drink, electronics and consumer goods.
The 11 winners include 30 organisations, including small and medium-sized enterprises, large manufacturers, universities and research institutions.
The Brom-Bot project, receiving £512,660, aims to optimise bicycle production at Brompton’s London site through development and demonstration of robotic and automation solutions.
Aimed at enhancing productivity, safety and sustainability, the scheme will involve creating a ‘robotic playground’ at East Kent College’s robotic learning factory in Canterbury, to test integration across key operations within the factory.
“This new funding will enable the team to drive forward an array of exciting technology projects, ultimately meaning that Brompton can continue to be a leader of innovation in the urban mobility industry,” said Brompton operations director Phill Elston.
Project Campfire, led by Rivelin Robotics and also involving collaborators including GKN Aerospace, aims to improve metal post-processing for additive manufacturing with 3D vision and force control algorithms. The scheme aims to automate finishing for flight parts, orthopaedic implants and gas turbine components.
“Success could revolutionise tightly regulated industries, unlocking growth and investments in automation, impacting sectors such as aerospace, medical and energy, as well as civil aerospace, defence and automotive industries,” a UKRI announcement said.
Robert Bush, CEO of Rivelin Robotics, said the funding would allow the company to tackle “complex challenges in additive manufacturing”. He added: “This grant is a key enabler in our mission to revolutionise robotic finishing of near-net-shape parts, enhancing the UK’s position in advanced manufacturing.”
Other projects receiving funding include IntelliJeni, focused on low-cost, high-speed transfer systems for 3D printing and finishing equipment, led by Photocentric, and Smart 2, focused on robotic picking and placing of sandwich ingredients, led by Industrial Robotic Solutions.
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