The new “collaborative” robot is understood to be changing the way manufacturers worldwide think about robotics because its flexibility, capability and ability to work alongside humans means it is highly suitable for applications in the small and medium sized manufacturing sector.
Clare O’Neill, Head of Business Support at the Northern College said: “Further and Higher Education can play a critical role in supporting the application of innovative technologies and the work both Northern College and Queens are doing with these local manufacturers demonstrates how we can bring benefits and companies can see increased productivity which will facilitate their future growth. “
Rory Collins, Senior Project Manager at NITC said: “The NITC at Queen’s University has engaged successfully with Northern Regional College on this Connected project, and been able to build a better understanding of the challenges in implementing collaborative, flexible robotics in an SME environment. Being able to transfer our knowledge to the industrial partners and wider local industry will be of great benefit moving forward.”
Alan Reid of Northern Regional College and William Bradley of NITC at QUB worked with the four partner companies to develop four innovative bespoke robotic processes with the potential to enhance productivity. The companies engaged with the project are : Northern Hydraulics Ltd. a leading UK manufacturer of precision hydraulic cylinders based in Coalisland ; Leckey Engineering, specialist equipment design engineers based in Lisburn; Hutchinson Engineering one of the UK and Ireland’s leading sub contract laser and metal fabrication companies based in Kilrea and Uni-trunk a cable ducting design and manufacturing firm based in Lisburn.
Below is a short video showcasing Colloborative Robotics
