European project enters final phases

The European E-Race project is in the final phases of development of a new, computer based, customer oriented, assembly system specification tool.

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, 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 capabilities 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 specialisations within manufacturing.

Anyone with interest in becoming involved, or just finding out more, should contact the project leader TQC.

The E-Race system is in its final, precommercialisation, 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 while reducing both production lead times and overall costs.

This European project is led by TQC, a supplier of bespoke system integration solutions based in Nottingham, UK.

There are 23 partners across four countries: Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Within the UK, there are a total of nine consortium members.

The two main project development partners are TQC and The University of Nottingham.

TQC is the project co-ordinator and as such provides the overall management of the project.

TQC also provides information and research for the project.

The University of Nottingham is 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.

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