If your business is considering a move from manual to automated processes in a factory or production setting, Smart Hub’s latest events could be invaluable.

The Smart Hub, which is a partnership between the council, New College Lanarkshire and the University of Strathclyde, is home to a robotics and automation training facility and a dedicated space for SMEs to meet, learn and access business support and academic expertise.

The Hub is inviting manufacturing SMEs to participate in interactive cobot demonstration sessions, which will allow attendees to:

• see cobots in action in a mini-factory setting and observe them operating up close
• have a go at basic programming
• understand cobot task capabilities
• learn about the applications for cobots in different manufacturing settings
• understand costs and return on investment potential

The sessions are available every Tuesday from 23 August to 27 September. For more information or to book your place, visit Smart Hub Lanarkshire events | North Lanarkshire Council

Caroline Brown, Enterprise Development Officer at North Lanarkshire Council said: “Smart Hub Lanarkshire has had its busiest quarter yet from April to June, with 318 participants accessing our events, 1-2-1 sessions and group Cobot demonstrations. We’ve also had six companies taking part in two-week cobot trials since April, with some already moving to invest in the technology. There is a healthy pipeline of further trials planned through to the end of September.”

The cobot trials have been enabled by Scottish Enterprise, who funded the purchase of an additional cobot exclusively for company trial purposes. Trials are available for up to two weeks at no cost to participating businesses, and include a feasibility review, induction training, technical consultancy support and a post-trial evaluation report.

Jerome Finlayson, Head of High Value Manufacturing at Scottish Enterprise said: “We’re pleased to support Smart Hub Lanarkshire in getting its first mobile cobot. Being able to offer trials on a company’s own premises is fantastic, especially for companies that maybe haven’t had the chance to try automation before and see first hand the benefits this innovation can bring. Automation is a very effective way of creating a step change in productivity, developing skills and using staff more effectively and I’d encourage any manufacturers thinking about using this in their manufacturing processes to come along to a session and find out more.”

Barry Skea, Head of Department for Science and Technology at New College Lanarkshire, said: “We’re really encouraged by the ever-growing interest in Smart Hub Lanarkshire and hope our latest events and ongoing opportunities to trial a cobot will continue to be popular with manufacturing businesses. We’re also planning to introduce some new cobot demonstration sessions later in the autumn, which will look specifically at how cobots can help with palletising and visual systems.”

Weekly Meet the National Manufacturing Institute (NMIS) SMR Engagement Adviser sessions are also available at Smart Hub Lanarkshire throughout August and September.Manufacturing businesses can learn more about industry-focused expertise and technical support. Find out more at Smart Hub Lanarkshire events | North Lanarkshire Council

Universal Robots, who provide the cobots used at Smart Hub Lanarkshire, also have a roadshow event taking place at The Dakota Hotel, Eurocentral on 24 August which will provide another opportunity to try out cobot technology. Find out more at https://events.universal-robots.com/semea/live-events/motherwell-collaborate/