n NEWS September 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 6 A NEW REPORT from the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult predicts what the country’s manufacturing sector could look like in the future if it was built on a foundation of automation and robotics (A&R). The 2050 vision for automation and robotics in UK manufacturing report looks at the current state of A&R in the UK, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as well as outlining a vision for A&R in the future. The 41page report, produced by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), with contributions from other High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres, argues that there will be widescale adoption of A&R across the sector by 2050. The vision includes: n a decentralised approach to producing goods, with manufacturing processes dispersed across multiple locations or facilities; n designing products with automation and the circular economy in mind; n advances in sensory capabilities and intelligence, driven largely by AI; and n an acceptance of robots working alongside humans or providing support by undertaking tasks that humans do not want to do. The report suggests that by embracing automation and robotics technologies, the UK could improve its productivity and competitiveness, strengthen its supply chains, raise its living standards, and create more jobs with higher salaries. It calls on academics, equipment suppliers and end-users to work together to develop the support services and skills needed to make this happen. “Despite the UK’s strengths in advanced robotics research and AI, the UK needs to ensure that it is not left behind other nations when it comes to implementation,” warns the MTC’s chief automation officer, Mike Wilson. “It is crucial to continue investing in R&D, fostering collaboration, but also ensuring the responsible adoption of A&R technologies to maximise their benefits across the UK and the global manufacturing industry.” You can download the report from https://drivesncontrols.news/2ukt88f4 Report: automation could transform UK industry p Global sales of collaborative robots (cobots) exceeded $1bn during 2023, despite demand recovering more slowly than expected after Covid, according to Interact Analysis. It predicts the market will see a 22% increase in shipments during 2024 and expects growth rates to exceed 20% each year in the period to 2028. Cobot revenues grew by around 11.9% in 2023, despite tough economic conditions and supply chain issues. Demand from the automotive and new energy sectors remained high, but interest from the electronics and semiconductor industry waned. p The Welsh drives-maker Invertek Drives has extended the warranty on its Optidrive VSDs from two to three years, reflecting “confidence in the durability and performance of its products”. The extended warranty covers all new Optidrive drives manufactured after 1 June, 2024. An optional Warranty Plus extension can provide a five-year warranty. p The UK electrical protection and connectors conglomerate nVent Electric is selling its Thermal Management business – which includes the Raychem and Tracer brands – for a $1.7bn in cash to funds managed by the Canadianheadquartered Brookfield Asset Management. nVent will focus on its remaining brands, which include Caddy, Erico, Hoffmann, Ilsco and Schroff. It intends to use the proceeds from the sale – around $1.4bn after tax – for acquisitions and share repurchases. In 2023, the Thermal Management business had sales worth $595m and employed around 1,700 people globally. p Mitsubishi Electric has partnered with Hal Robotics to extend the rollout of operator-controlled robots capable of executing variable, complex and uncommon tasks and applications. Hal recently launched software that gives operators, and those with expert knowledge, the ability to adapt robotic tasks without any programming. It allows them to set up complex toolpaths, simulate and validate procedures, and send programs automatically to robots. The new partnership allows the software to be integrated with Mitsubishi’s sixaxis Melfa robots, giving the ability to automate non-uniform tasks without extensive set-up and training investments. NEWS BRIEFS A BIRMINGHAM AUTOMATION specialist which was a pioneer of plug-and-play robotics has secured £350,000 from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II to help it meet demand from manufacturers wanting to automate their processes, and to expand its team, creating seven new jobs. Mechatronic Production Systems (MechTech) was established 35 years ago to provide bespoke automation systems. It was one of the first to offer off-the-shelf robotics with the launch of its Robopod system in 2014. This system still accounts for almost half of the company’s revenues. Robopod automates repetitive processes such as assembly, ultrasonic welding, glueing, dispensing, inspection and machine tending, and can be adapted and reconfigured for different tasks. Mechatronic currently employs 35 people. The company, which boosted its revenue by 35% in the 12 months to March, is headed by managing director, Tony Parker-Watkins, who led a management buy-out in 2022. MechTech’s backing has come from the £400m Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, operated by the British Business Bank, which supports new and expanding businesses in the Midlands region. The fund provides debt finance from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help SMEs to start up, scale up or stay ahead. The fund provides early-stage finance to firms that might otherwise not receive investment. It works alongside local authorities and enterprise partnerships to support smaller businesses at all stages of their development. Midlands automation firm secures £350,000 from investment fund
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