Centre for Food Robotics and Automation opens in Doncaster
22 May 2008
New start for European food industry's only robotics centre, which previously operated from the Innovation Technology Centre in Rotherham.
Doncaster, UK - Europe's only Centre for Food Robotics and Automation (CenFRA Ltd) has officially started operations at its new home in Doncaster. The launch marks the culmination of two years' work by Yorkshire Forward, which originally established CenFRA at the Innovation Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.
The new facility will offer the same services and automation audits as the previous base, but the new commercial development will be home to flexible automation directly applicable to the food and drink industry, six of which will be demonstrated at the launch, according to a Yorkshire Forward statement.
CenFRA is a not-for-profit business offering independent advice to all UK companies interested in flexible automation. Businesses located in Yorkshire and Humber, the North East, and North West can qualify for free automation audits, benefiting all food and drink producers in the North.
Funded by Yorkshire Forward and the Northern Way, the Centre has been developed in partnership with experts in robotics and automation from the University of Salford. Its aim is to promote innovation within the food and drink industry where traditionally there is low investment in robotics and process automation.
CenFRA engineering staff and technologists are available to identify automation opportunities and provide practical advice as well as develop bespoke automation solutions. The Centre will also provide seminars, learning packages and skills training days as well as researching issues of a generic nature to the overall benefit of the industry,
There are a number of misconceptions concerning automation that need to be addressed, according to CenFRA chairman Michael Taylor: "CenFRA is most keen to support companies with impartial advice and guidance on the wide variety of automation solutions available - some starting at less than £20,000 - and to assist them identify and quantify the significant cost benefits that can result."
