ADMC Services
The ADMC aims to support businesses adopt automation based on four core pillars of activity.
Skills & Training
The ADMC will help create the workforce of the future that has the right skills and capabilities to match the automation needs of business. As automation technology advances, the skills required to work with it are changing rapidly. Further Education and Higher Education certified/accredited courses will be delivered by the ADMC’s education and training strategic partners Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and West Notts College (WNC). They will also offer access to a much broader Level 2 to 8 course prospectus to provide a holistic education and employability package to businesses. Separately, non-certified industry focused courses will also be delivered by the ADMC itself, as well as by selected third party members.
Research & Development
The ADMC has a strong focus on promoting the availability of existing automation technology to potential users. However it is also focused on automation of the future. It aims to make breakthroughs in automation technology and system development. We aim to run a number of R&D projects based on tried and tested Collaborative R&D models, using funding from UK Government sources as well as European sources. These projects will advance automation technology primarily for the benefit of the automation industry and its customers. The ADMC will also offer a bespoke Privately Funded R&D service where specific businesses can access resources from the ADMC and its partners to tackle specific challenges. Our key partner for R&D is Nottingham Trent University (NTU). NTU is recruiting staff to work in the ADMC alongside the ADMC’s own team.
Prototyping and Proof of Principle
The ability to see an automation project come to life is essential to investment decision making. Our independent expertise and range of equipment can be utilised to help you achieve this. The ADMC will offer external support and expertise for Concept Development which will define the scope of an investigation and its intended objectives. Once completed, a detailed plan of how to address the challenge can be created and the relevant activities defined and structured into a work plan. The ADMC can then take this further into modelling the potential outcomes and solutions. Modelling provides a low-cost way of ascertaining the potential benefits and can build confidence that the resulting automated solution can deliver the objectives identified. Modelling capability comes in various forms and the ADMC team will be able guide on what is best for a specific need or project. Prototyping provides surety that an automated solution will work, closely mimicking the actual project or process. The ADMC will have modular equipment, expertise and flexible space that can be configured from the design models to assemble an automated prototype that will prove the concept fully.
Showcasing and Demonstration
A central feature of the ADMC is to increase awareness and understanding of what is possible through the implementation of automation. Visualisation is key to this, particularly for businesses new to this type of investment. To support this, the ADMC is developing strong partnerships with suppliers of automation to the manufacturing and distribution sectors and the systems integrators that support companies to implement automation successfully. A number of these are already looking to partner with the ADMC. The aim is to have a cohort of automation suppliers and systems integrators co-located within the ADMC and adding to its offer. In doing so, they will be able to showcase and demonstrate their equipment and systems as well as to invite potential clients and ADMC members to review its potential. Ultimately, they will be able to demonstrate how their offer improves the competitiveness of manufacturing and distribution processes. Should suppliers wish, the ADMC could become their Midlands “showroom”. Staff could be based in the ADMC from time to time, working alongside the team located there. There is wider scope for suppliers and systems integrators to work with the ADMC utilising their equipment and systems provided for showcasing and demonstration. This includes: Contributing equipment and knowledge to the research and development programmes being undertaken by the ADMC and its partners, including those that are partially funded publicly. Providing equipment and systems to develop solutions for member companies being supported in their automation needs by the ADMC. There are still opportunities for automation suppliers and systems integrators to be considered as showcasing and demonstration partners. Please contact the ADMC team should you wish to be considered for this opportunity at andy.dean@ashfield.gov.uk The ADMC will offer external support and expertise for Concept Development which will define the scope of an investigation and its intended objectives. Once completed, a detailed plan of how to address the challenge can be created and the relevant activities defined and structured into a work plan. The ADMC can then take this further into modelling the potential outcomes and solutions. Modelling provides a low-cost way of ascertaining the potential benefits and can build confidence that the resulting automated solution can deliver the objectives identified. Modelling capability comes in various forms and the ADMC team will be able guide on what is best for a specific need or project. Prototyping provides surety that an automated solution will work, closely mimicking the actual project or process. The ADMC will have modular equipment, expertise and flexible space that can be configured from the design models to assemble an automated prototype that will prove the concept fully.