Siemens will provide the research centre, located next to Glasgow Airport, with support in kind to the value of £200,000 per year. The company is set to supply software and hardware, as well as consultancy and access to research, unlocking smart usage of data to improve manufacturing processes. Siemens will collaborate with the AFRC’s digital manufacturing team, sharing expertise and acting as a testbed for de-risking innovation as firms seek to adopt new technologies.
Technology from Siemens is already in use across the AFRC’s collaborative research and development projects, including the creation of a digital twin for whisky cask filling processes and a platform offering an Industry 4.0 based solution for machinery.
Both Siemens and the AFRC are also collaborating with AFRC Tier One Partner Virtalis. Together, the companies are engaging with manufacturers across Scotland and using a virtual reality environment to help them enhance their decision making and plan for the future using digital technology.
Michael Ward, technical director at the AFRC, says: “As our digital activities have grown, we’ve continued to expand our use of Siemens software and we’re extremely excited about the new capabilities that this partnership will open up. As the manufacturing sector shifts towards a more data-led approach, it’s crucial that we work with industry and support companies to use digital technology on shop floors.
“Working with both Siemens and Virtalis, and other relevant AFRC members and partners, we are increasingly using innovative technologies within research projects across a range of sectors, while advancing the development of smart factories,” he continues.
Alan Norbury, chief technologist at Siemens, adds: “We’re thrilled to provide support, from software to training, enhancing innovation and building cross-sector relationships across Scotland. The early stages of adopting industry 4.0 technology are often where companies hit hurdles. Working in partnership with the AFRC, we’re aiming to help customers accelerate investment cycles with enhanced access to skills, technology, processes and research that will reduce any risks associated with investment in smart factories.
“As the partnership evolves, we’re keen to share best practice across sectors, engage with SMEs to develop fully connected supply chains, and further invest in software, hardware and training to create a strong infrastructure that will maximise the benefits of the technology to accelerate digital manufacturing.”