4846/AMRC/ATR/JS/25 – Autonomous Tool Room Cell (Phase 1)

Overview

4846/AMRC/ATR/JS/25 – Autonomous Tool Room Cell (Phase 1) The University of Sheffield wishes to invite tenders for an 'Autonomous Tool Room Cell' on behalf of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Castings Group at Catcliffe, South Yorkshire. Scope of Requirement The AMRC has launched an innovation challenge to develop a digital framework to explore autonomy in subtractive manufacturing process planning. This focuses on industrial software interoperability and the improvement of modelling predictions through real-time data. The innovation challenge to develop a reconfigurable tended subtractive manufacturing cell initially centres around a three-axis mill CNC. A phased investment approach is applied to the innovation challenge, within Phase One, an automation cell (herein referred to as the ‘Autonomous Tool Room (ATR) Cell’ and/or “Cell”) will be purchased. This will include a seven-axis robot with a range of part tending routes, tool management options, representing current affordable and accessible physical automation solutions. Within Phase One, the ‘Cell’ will be installed on Factory of the Future (FoF) shopfloor requiring the rerouting of services, both physical such as air and power and also data connectivity, including sustainability focused monitoring solutions. In the coming years further investment will be made around the ‘Cell’ to build capability in the autonomy space. This will provide an AMRC sandpit to physically demonstrate technologies for autonomy in tool room/job shop activities which represents a significant part of the UK supply chain. This work will focus on key strategic priority areas around workforce development, supply chains and SME support. To this end the ‘Cell’ should be designed with a fundamentally modular architecture which allows for future adaptation and expansion (see section G4). The Vision To create a secure, traceable, and interoperable end-to-end digitally connected manufacturing system. This system will integrate human knowledge, real-time process data, and advanced virtual models to optimise subtractive process planning, remove the mundane and time wasteful processes, improve machining performance, automate decision making and support certification of parts by analysis in order to reduce time-to-market and address the skills shortage in the workforce of the future. This is a cross AMRC proposal including The Machining Group (TMG), Integrated Manufacturing Group (IMG), AMRC North West, and AMRC Metrology. This is a multi-phased, multi-year project which may be procured over the coming years. General Specification Key Objectives of the ‘Autonomous Tool Room (ATR) Cell’ -Implement an end-to-end digitally connected manufacturing system from CAD to final part inspection. -Implement a cyber-secure digital infrastructure to protect sensitive manufacturing data during real-time operations and in cloud environments. -Implement cloud and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure to manage and analyse large datasets, with 5G technology ensuring fast, seamless communication between systems. -Develop an integrated and automated CAD/CAM environment which is digitally connected to the shop floor. -Utilise the latest Generative AI and Digital Twin systems for real-time process improvement, model validation and to eliminate trial-and-error on both the shop floor and in the CAM office. -Deploy multi-model machine tool connectivity to integrate supply chain data and monitor machine and process performance. -Close the loop between metrology and the machining process by integrating metrology equipment within the ‘Cell’. For the avoidance of doubt, integration of metrology equipment is outside the scope of this tender (see G4: a). This tender is for the supply, installation, commissioning, integration, and support over the product lifetime of an autonomous cell playing a key part of the Autonomous Tool Room (ATR) vision. ATR is a key initiative within the AMRC and forms one of their Sub