A robot cell installed by CNC Robotics at Autodesk’s Advanced Design & Manufacturing Facility in Birmingham was used to manufacture part of the hull for a 3D-printed boat, which was launched at last year’s Genoa International Boat Show. With a striking design that includes wave-inspired sides and a finlike form that tapers toward the stern, MAMBO (motor additive manufacturing boat) is a boat like no other, both in its distinctive looks and in the way in which it was manufactured from fibre-reinforced plastic by 3D printing.
Background
CNC Robotics began in 2008 when founder Jason Barker needed a cost-effective way to machine large-scale props for his Liverpool scenery company. Recognising the wider potential of using robots for milling, Jason began working with CAM developers to make programming more accessible. A partnership with Delcam, later acquired by Autodesk, proved pivotal.
Through this collaboration, CNC Robotics became one of the first integrators to combine industrial robots with advanced CAM systems, supplying equipment for software testing and contributing feedback that helped shape the technology still used in its systems today.
The solution
A robot-machining system, part of CNC Robotics M-series, is based on two KUKA robots, supplied and integrated by CNC Robotics. This was among the new equipment added to the Birmingham site, and is now one of the first things that visitors see from the reception area. The capabilities of the system are used for software testing, and for a huge variety of projects, from advanced machining research to fun demonstrations, including producing a giant chocolate rabbit as part of Easter celebrations.
Benefits
CNC Robotics has continued to partner with Autodesk on its marketing of robot technology. One highlight was a unique interactive challenge at the Autodesk University event in London in 2018. Noting that 2018 was both a World Cup year and the Year of the Engineer, the companies decided to bring football and robotics together for the first time with a robot goalkeeper challenge. Conference attendees were able to test their accuracy and speed with a football by scoring against the robot.
