Prototyping is the process of using visual aids to illustrate what would often be described in design and development specifications that detail how a device would behave and look. Prototyping and small batch manufacturing is one of manufacturing’s faster growing areas. A CNC Robotic system enables manufacturers and designers to quickly fabricate a model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) data.

A CNC Robotic system is precise and accurate, which means that robotic milling is well suited for prototyping applications. Physical prototyping brings ideas to life and gives manufacturers the ability to work out design flaws, eliminate errors and rework ideas with ease. Robotic system costs significantly less than traditional machining tool therefore makes an attractive proposition for any manufacturer. 

The team at CNC Robotics have significant experience in providing rapid prototype services and or providing systems that support manufacturers to develop their own capability.

The team have worked with a diverse range of clients across many sectors  and provided rapid prototyping support for leading companies such as Cadbury, Burberry and Jaguar Land Rover.

A composite material is made by combining two or more materials – often ones that have very different properties. The two materials work together to give the composite unique properties. However, within the composite you can easily tell the different materials apart as they do not dissolve or blend into each other.

One composite material frequently used in industry is the carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). This is used within the aviation and automotive industry. “Composites machining,” while it is not limited to CFRP, frequently refers to challenges faced by manufacturers working with this particular material. CFRP parts generally must be drilled and trimmed via machining, and in some cases these components receive precision milled surfaces as well. Carbon fibre is notoriously difficult to process, when machined it is hazardous to health and often the superconductive dust created damages electrical components and machinery. 

The challenges particular to this machining include fixturing the geometrically complex parts, as well as tooling selection for cutting the hard material.

CNC Robotics have worked with many clients looking for a manufacturing challenge. A robotic machining cell offers significant advantages over traditional machines and robotics are increasingly being deployed, thereby making a safer environment for employees whilst improving productivity. 

Robots do dull, dirty and dangerous work. They can work effectively in the most hazardous of environments and never get bored by repetitive tasks. When the environment is too hot, too humid or too cold, then robotic solutions are the answer. Perfect for the renewables sector working in a range of harsh conditions.

When it comes to creating and assembling components, robots offer many advantages including consistency, accuracy and a quick turnaround. Robotic systems can not only distribute paint uniformly over a turbine blade surface, important for balance, but can do so in a fraction of the time of traditional methods.

CNC Robotic systems for the renewable sector include applications for cutting, trimming, welding, painting, trimming, sanding and drilling. 

The pressure to produce low priced clothing has resulted in low-cost manufacturing methods. Historically this has entailed utilising cheap labour markets for production. 

The textile industry is thriving and the potential for success in the textile industry if it is ‘reshored’ to the UK is expected to be high. The UK textile industry is particularly strong when it comes to innovation and as a sector is known to provide high and mid-end fast fashion, luxury and homeware products. Exports  of high quality apparel throughout the world is high and demand for quality products is increasing. 

The textile industry is currently very labour intensive and there is a lack of skills and appropriate technology. Young people’s perceptions of the sector require significant changes if the textile industry is to continue to thrive in a sustainable manner.

Advancements in robotics and automation and other associated technology can offer manufacturers a competitive advantage. Not only can these technologies  provide solutions for many of the challenges the textile industry is facing but also opportunities for disruption. Innovation and specifically the use of robotics and automation could make the reshoring of the textile industry back to the UK a big success and further support this growing industry. 

The team at CNC Robotics have experience working with the textiles industry providing R&D expertise.

Our robotic solutions are becoming ever popular with architectural practices to push the limits of digital fabrication in design and construction. Using robots as tools for design and build opens exciting possibilities with acoustics and manipulating materials into shapes and patterns that rely upon exact repetition. Our clients are implementing robots for machining and prototyping groundbreaking construction techniques, ensuring they are at the forefront of architectural design.

We were commissioned by Pavilion Architecture to machine 3000 individual components for an exciting project showcased at Greenwich Peninsula London. The application of our robots was perfect for this project as each unique component required full 5-axis robotic machining to generate the correct form for the overall structure.

We have recently installed a robotic system at Foster & Partners to create highly accurate and detailed prototype models in a very short timescale.  The use of this robotic system, combined with design tools, means that a new aesthetic becomes possible with new innovative shapes and patterns that would not be achieved without these automated machines.

There is no typical job in prop or set making, the very nature of the sector requires fluidity and flexibility should the requirement change. So how do you balance highly creative prop making with the quick turnaround that is often expected from clients?

By embracing elements of automation in the creative process.

Our robot solutions are becoming ever popular with creative industries, model and prop makers. Reshaping workshops by combining traditional craftsmanship with the latest technology, allows customers to create the extraordinary for their clients. Our software tools allow design and production teams total flexibility and creativity for even the most complex and challenging prop or model design.

Our special effects and prop making clients include Artem, BGI, Design Ice, Paragon Creative, Wild Creations and JH May to name just a few. Our expertise in this area is born from over 20 years experience of prop making and devising specific milling systems for this diverse sector.

Automated technology and robotic systems are as integral to modern boat building as other manufacturing industries. Robots are now undertaking many of the routine jobs or accessing the hard to reach areas that were traditionally dependent upon human labour.

As the number of skilled workers continues to decline, boat builders are now looking for alternative ways to remain competitive in a global market. Luxury yacht and boat builders are seeking out new methods for more precise construction as well as speeding up the whole production time frame.

We have been working with yacht and boat builders to introduce automation into their sites to improve efficiency and processes through robotic systems. Our robotic solutions are being used for precision hole cutting, trimming of fibreglass moulds, sanding, applying gelcoats to hulls and decks, to name a few.

Using robotics for laborious tasks is both time-saving and quality consistent. Moreover, it frees up skilled staff to work on more intricate and technical aspects of the yacht and boat development.

By 2050, there will be an estimated 10 billion people on the planet.

The demand for more products will increase and technology, computers, robots, and artificial intelligence will be even more intricately intertwined into the fabric of both our personal and professional lives. To that end, we are seeing a change across higher education in terms of expanding boundaries and preparing students in a more pragmatic way for a life beyond their education. Innovation and research in robotics have become more prevalent in colleges and universities, benefitting students studying a variety of disciplines such as mechanical, industrial and biomedical engineering.

We have supplied a number of higher education establishments with robotic systems for use in mechanical engineering departments and even in art, sculpture and fashion to support both under- and postgraduate courses. The ability for students to undertake general CAD modelling, followed by testing and optimising design is yielding great results across many specialisms and allows students to push the boundaries in seeking new solutions. We have installed robotic systems in University of Liverpool, Hugh Baird College, University of Chester, John Moores University and the Royal College of Art.

Modular housing is revolutionising the way we will live. The construction is simplifying the homebuilding process as components are produced in factories, shipped in sections to the site and built together by smaller crews, all of which could help solve the growing housing deficit with attractive, modern, energy efficient designs.

Estimates suggest that off-site built modular homes take half the time of traditional house building, with fewer onsite accidents, consistent quality of build and less wastage due to the precision of robotic automation and therefore more environmentally friendly.

These are exciting times for the construction industry and robotics will play a huge part in shaping the direction of how we build homes in the future. We are delighted to be working with both large and small companies on new innovative products that challenge the normal home building methods, and helping clients who embrace robots and automation in their factories to be future proofing. While the modular market in the UK is slowly growing, other countries have it as core in their construction mix.

Robots have been used for years in general automation of mass-produced items such as cars, but more diverse applications are becoming the focus for robotic applications.

One such industry is in timber processing where manufacturers are employing robots for machining and general handling, rather than the more traditional timber CNC machines/routers to help with productivity and profitability.

Robots are ideal for timber processing and finishing, whether it be one-off bespoke pieces of furniture, or fully automated processing for balustrades, newels, windows, doors etc. Their robust design with flexible working envelope and fast moving arms are ideal for getting to hard to reach areas of a part.