Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre - Future Manufacturing Factory 
AMRC Factory 2050

Collaborative Research Solving Real World Problems Using Industry 4.0 Technologies 

Future Manufacturing Factory 2050

I recently attended an excellent evening at the Future Manufacturing Factory 2050 – witnessing first hand the state-of-the-art technologies that will feature in the factories of the future. Factory 2050 is part of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), which in turn is one of the 7 UK High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centres.

Factory 2050 undertakes collaborative research with private sector businesses big and small. As part of the AMRC’s Integrated Manufacturing Group and drawing on the post-graduate academic expertise of the University of Sheffield, the collaborative research undertaken provides inspirational concept demonstrators. These illustrate the art-of-the-possible to businesses, and inspire the next generation of engineers and technology leaders. The building's stunning architecture certainly compliments the futuristic technological engineering solutions inside.

Digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 are central themes to many of the activities undertaken in this future manufacturing factory. Core areas of collaborative research undertaken include….

• Digitally assisted assembly techniques
• Advanced component manufacture
• Machining technologies

Applied to these, key future factory themes include…

• Robotics and automation
• Mass customisation
• Intelligent machines
• Retro-fitting sensors onto legacy machines to optimise their performance and productivity
• The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and big data
• Digital ways of automatically handing variations in production
• High performance engineering materials
• Virtual and augmented reality to assist assembly, servicing and maintenance
• And much more…

Factory 2050 is very much focused on developing solutions that help companies solve real world problems and drive business competitiveness, through shorter lead-times, more efficient production techniques and applying technology to provide a competitive edge. Affordability, the business case justification and the economics of each of the technical solutions is considered throughout.

The organisation works with a range of blue chip manufacturers, including Boeing, Rolls Royce, McLaren, Airbus and others. However, the centre is passionate about small and medium sized business engagement. Often smaller companies benefit with quick-wins by working collaboratively with OEMs and Primes, as well as accessing world class academic expertise. Factory 2050 and the AMRC more broadly, are always looking for partners with which to collaborate. You can find out more and get in touch here

Below you will find further information about the future manufacturing factory facility. It’s well worth a look both for inspirational ideas for your own development and employability, as well as potential technologies your business should be considering for current problem solving and future competitive advantage.

Enjoy!

Mark Lynch

Factory 2050: The Smart Factory Conference Overview by AMRC

MTDCNC visits the AMRC factory 2050, courtesy of MTDCNC

AMRC Cell 1 - Project RAID courtesy of Mach & MTA

AMRC Cell 3 - Factory 2050 / CimLogic Demo, courtesy of Mach & MTA

McLaren Automotive partnership with University of Sheffield AMRC

Sheffield Business Park - Factory 2050, courtesy of AMRC

Stunning Architecture Outside, Amazing Technology Inside (Click Image)