CNC Robotics worked with business support programme LCR 4.0, part of the Liverpool City Region Local Growth Hub, and partner Sensor City to design, collaborate and develop the potentially ‘market ready’ cloud-based machine monitoring device.
The collaboration gave CNC Robotics access to specialised skills and engineering software such as the NI LabView Software Development System, which has enabled the company to combine digital and automated systems.
Integrating real-time diagnostic technology, CNCR-Live remotely monitors robotic data to predict when maintenance is needed. This prevents failures in the production process that can cause a slowdown or shutdown and as a result, boosts productivity.
“Being able to utilise the specialist skills and resources at Sensor City has been a game-changer for us. It’s enabled us to develop our technology and given us the impetus to expand our team with the appointment of a new Systems and Applications Engineer,” said Madina Barker, director at CNC Robotics. “We are all very excited by the potential that the new CNCR-Live remote diagnostic technology will offer to the manufacturing industry.”
Simon Reid, sector manager for advanced manufacturing at the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), added: “The LCR 4.0 project is geared up to help SMEs, like CNC Robotics, to create jobs and accelerate their product development by opening up access to the world-class knowledge assets that we have here in the region.
“This example shines a light on the power of collaboration in the region and the value that it adds to SMEs in real terms.”
The prototype is currently being tested and implemented in Sensor City’s engineering lab and CNC Robotics’ facility in Bootle, Liverpool.
Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the LCR 4.0 programme is being delivered in partnership by some of the region’s key knowledge and scientific assets: The University of Liverpool (through its Virtual Engineering Centre), Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LCR LEP), Liverpool John Moores University (Faculty of Engineering and Technology), the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Hartree Centre and Sensor City.
