4 minute read
The Advanced Machinery and Productivity Institute (AMPI), led by NPL and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s Strength in Places Fund, is delighted to announce the successful projects from the Advanced Machinery Innovation fund. From a strong cohort of applications, three industry led projects have been awarded funding:
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‘On Rotor Sensing (ORS) of CNC Machines’, (computer numerical controlled machines) project, led by Digital Transit in collaboration with the University of Huddersfield. The project will improve monitoring for preventative maintenance of CNC machines by developing a sensor system that attaches to rotating components. This system will provide real-time data on the condition and performance of the machinery.
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The ‘Advanced Drive and Machinery Monitoring (ADAMM)’ project is led by Round Bank Engineering in collaboration with the University of Manchester. The project will develop novel advanced machine tool monitoring capabilities for drilling and milling, embedded directly within the spindle motor housing to eliminate the need for bulky external monitoring equipment and complex installation processes. This research promises to offer a more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution for monitoring and controlling high-speed machines for industries that rely heavily on precision and equipment uptime.
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The ‘Advanced Machinery for Processing High Performance Materials’ project is led by Hydra Manufacturing in collaboration with the University of Leeds. The project will develop new capability to enable the UK manufacturing industry to achieve greater levels of product customisation, complexity and functionality across a range of 'difficult to process' materials such as ceramics, refractory metals and metal matrix composites.
The AMPI Innovation Fund was designed to enable innovators to accelerate the development and commercialisation of advanced machinery, robotics, automation, and related technologies. The focus is on delivering advancements in machinery for manufacturing and demonstrating innovation at an industrially relevant scale. AMPI enables industry to develop new technology and disseminate best practices in machinery technologies and processes.
Gareth Edwards, NPL Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Materials, said: “The AMPI team is delighted that it has been able to fund three further projects through the Advanced Machinery Innovation Fund. We welcome the industrialists to the AMPI family and look forward to seeing their manufacturing machinery innovations develop in collaboration with our academic partners over the coming months.”
Find out more about AMPI here
02 Apr 2025