|
The European E-RACE project is in the final phases of development
of a new, computer based, customer oriented, assembly system
specification tool.
This tool enables the information relevant to assembly to
be rapidly entered in a structured and traceable format that
enables the user to rapidly generate the specification for
a complete assembly line. The tool provides web-based data
entry forms which, when completed in sequence, will define
one or more assembly system solutions that can be analysed
for performance and cost.
The tool is currently demonstrated on the project website:
www.e-race.info where
a guided tour can be viewed. The fully operating website is
currently available to registered E-RACE members and associates.
These participants are able to use the full capabilties of
the system; specifying products, developing the assembly sequence
and defining the assembly system. The project is keen to expand
the base of associates and is looking for input from companies
with a variety of interests and specialisms within manufacturing.
Anyone with interest in becoming involved, or just finding
out more, should contact the project leaders TQC Ltd. either
through the E-RACE project website or directly: erace@tqc.co.uk
The E-RACE system is in it's final, pre-commercialisation,
development phase. By achieving the goals set out during the
project's conception, the E-RACE tool will increase the accuracy
of customer specifications and system reconfigurability whilst
reducing both production lead times and overall costs.
This European project is led by TQC Ltd, a supplier of bespoke
system integration solutions based in Nottingham, UK. There
are 23 partners across four countries: Finland, Sweden, Switzerland
and the UK. A full list of the partners can be found at: www.e-race.info
Within the UK, there are a total of nine consortium members.
The two main project development partners are TQC Ltd and
The University of Nottingham. TQC are the project co-ordinators
and as such provide the overall management of the project.
TQC also provide information and research for the project.
The University of Nottingham are conducting research towards
the system architecture, assembly planning and the requirement
specification tool as well as the development of a prototype
web portal.
There are five further industrial partners; Bespak Europe,
Desoutter, GlaxoSmithKline, Riley Automation and System Devices.
These partners are providing the consortium with information
and feedback from both a customer's and a supplier's point
of view. They will also be assisting with the dissemination
activities, which is the specialist role of the final two
partners; The British Automation and Robot Association (BARA)
and The PRIME Faraday Partnership.
LINKS TO OTHER PRESS RELEASES
March 2004
August 2005
|
