A scheme to provide government funding for the automation of industrial processes needs to be carefully managed so a nationwide strategy of continuous reinvestment develops. This is according to Barry Weller, specialist robot engineer with Mitsubishi Electric.
Weller said: “The Automating Manufacturing Programme to be run for the government by the British Automation and Robot Association (Bara) offers funded, impartial advice to manufacturing companies on how best automated their processes. This is a timely development because of the drive to rebalance the economy with more manufacturing.”
“However, it must be carefully managed so that it builds a foundation of not only new installations, but also a widespread knowledge base of what automation can deliver and a willingness to always consider it.”
The take up of robots has accelerated in the UK, with annual growth rates above 50 per cent. However this is from a low installed base: Germany and European manufacturing nations have 10 times as many robots.
Research suggests British management wants to see a return on automation investments in two years, whereas in other countries a five year window is accepted.
“This may be one of the stumbling blocks. The truth is automation pays dividends – often only a small investment is needed and competitor nations are currently more willing to make them.”
