UK’s first digital factory demonstrator launched16 September 2014

The UK's first digital factory demonstrator has been launched at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, designed to showcase how a 'fourth industrial revolution' could shape the future of British manufacturing. The launch featured a virtual 3D factory alongside a physical production line capable demonstrating mass customisation of consumer goods.

Siemens, the Electronic Systems Community (ESCO), automation trade association GAMBICA, HP, Shadow Robotics and Ubisense were among the organisations that contributed to the project.

The digital factory demonstrator, also known as the Industry 4.0 demonstrator, is the first of its kind in the UK and seeks to put Britain at the centre stage of global research and development in manufacturing.

The immersive, 3D virtual reality environment is designed to allow users to interact with a 'living lab' which has been modelled from an existing real-world machine. The machine mimics a continuous production environment and allows universities, manufacturers and key stakeholders to innovate production processes using the latest technologies that help improve productivity, quality and energy efficiency.

Siemens now wants to work with industry partners to build a full living laboratory at the MTC to link smart sensor technology to intelligent automation and supply chain systems.

Brian Holliday, managing director of Siemens' Industrial activities in the UK and Ireland, said: "The UK must invest in digital and smart factories, not least because the concept of Industry 4.0 plays to our strengths and tackles many of the complex production and consumption challenges we face today. By investing in these technologies, UK factories stand to achieve up to 30% improvement in productivity, which could in turn aid accelerated economic rebalancing.

"We are calling for the establishment of a living lab in the UK and believe this will have a tangible impact on job creation - specifically addressing the UK skills shortage, as well as improving manufacturing's share of UK GDP. We jointly support the proposals made today that industry and the Government match fund £6m over a three year period as part of a specific push to co-develop the world's most advanced manufacturing technology standards here in Britain.

"We also believe enhanced capital allowances should be extended to cover automation technology in the same way as they have been applied to energy efficient technology to stimulate investment and improve SME productivity.

"In addition, we plan to engage with the Manufacturing Advisory Service to develop an Industry 4.0 work stream - which should be reinforced with a one-off £3 million funding boost to develop tool kits for manufacturers wanting to invest. Ultimately, we support the suggestion of a Joint Technology Initiative with Germany and the EU for the funding of a pan-European industry research project into Industry 4.0."

The event was attended by (from the left) Dr Clive Hickman, CEO of the MTC; Martin Donnelly, Permanent Secretary to BIS; Alan Norbury, Siemens R&D specialist; and Brian Holliday, deputy MD of Siemens Industry.

Ian Vallely

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