DAC 2021_12

n NEWS The UK became one of the world’s top 15 markets for sales of industrial robots last year, according to a new analysis by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). The number of industrial robots installed in the UK rose by 2,205 (8%) during 2020 to reach a total of around 23,000 (6% more than in 2019), but the country was still outside the global top 20 in terms of robot density – the number of robots installed per 10,000 industrial workers. The automotive industry remains by far the largest user of industrial robots in the UK, with sales to this sector rising by 16% to 875 machines during 2020, representing 40% of all industrial robot installations in the UK. The food and beverage industry almost doubled its number of installed robots from 155 in 2019 to 304 in 2020 (a rise of 96%). This sector has traditionally had a large number of foreign workers, often from Eastern Europe, but is now facing substantial labour shortages as a result of Covid-19 travel restrictions and Brexit. The IFR predicts that demand for industrial robots in the UK will grow at double-digit percentage rates during 2021 and 2022. It expects the modernisation of UK manufacturing industry to be boosted by Government tax incentives. But the UK’s 2,205 new robots in 2020 were still about ten times fewer than the number shipped in Germany (22,302), about four times fewer than in Italy (8,525) and less than half the number shipped in France (5,368). “The United Kingdom has a strong manufacturing industry that has surprisingly low annual robot installation counts,”comments IFR president, Milton Guerry.“Both, the automotive and the general industry need to invest in automation technology to keep up with international competitors.” https://ifr.org UK enters global top 15 for industrial robot sales THEMADE SMARTER Innovation programme has launched a collaborative r&d competition with a focus on sustainable smart factories. UK consortia will be able to apply for a share of up to £20m for digital innovation projects designed to reduce the carbon emissions frommanufacturing. The aim of the competition (which closes on 26 January, 2022) is to support the development of digital innovations to improve the sustainability of manufacturing processes. The projects can range in value from £1m–8m, can run for up to two years, and can tackle themes ranging from reducing material losses, to sequencing of manufacturing operations to cut energy use. https://apply-for-innovation- funding.service.gov.uk/compe tition/1063/overview Smart factory r&d competition offers up to £20m The world’s 15 largest markets for industrial robots in 2020 (numbers sold in 1,000s) Source: IFR JJSMANUFACTURING .COM OUTSOURCED MANUFACTURING MADE EASY ELECTRO MECHANICAL PCB ASSEMBLY BOX BUILD ASSEMBLY CABINET BUILD OVER 150,000 SQ. FEET OF CONNECTED FACILITIES IN THE UK & CZECH REPUBLIC ai160217390613_JJS_0096_Ad Design - Generic - A5 Landscape.pdf 1 08/10/2020 17:18