Page 9 - Spring Summer 2026

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INTRODUCING THE OMNIFACTORY DEFINES FUTURE

HENRY ROYCE INSTITUTE OF AGILE MANUFACTURING

At TCT 3Sixty one of the notable exhibitors was the • Production and characterisation of thin films and In The Manufacturer, Vol. 29, Issue 2 (Q2 2026), MADA. By replacing fixed jigs with robotic, sensor-rich
Henry Royce Institute based at the University of devices with 140 square metre clean room. Daniel Symes, Head of Business and Knowledge assembly processes jig-less flexible automation was
Manchester with a network that spans 11 leading Exchange at the University of Nottingham, found to be highly effective.
• An interdisciplinary laboratory space enabling
institutions across the country, including the introduces the Omnifactory, a £3.8 million national
the discovery, creation, characterisation, and Benefits included improved precision, reduced
University of Cambridge, University of Liverpool, testbed designed to assist manufacturers with the
exploitation of materials engineered at the atomic inspection and rework, automated validation of large
University of Leeds, University of Oxford, Imperial navigation of uncertainty through reconfigurable,
level at the Bragg Centre for Materials in Leeds, structures in multiple orientations, and the ability
College London, Cranfield University, Strathclyde AI-driven automation.
who were also exhibiting, and which houses the to produce different variants on the same robotic
University, the UK National Nuclear Laboratory and
Royce Deposition System - a multi-chamber, Officially opened in 2023 at the University of equipment. There were also potential reductions of
the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
multi-technique thin film deposition tool that Nottingham, the Omnifactory serves as a national over 50 per cent in non-recurring costs associated
With a team of over 700 researchers, technical allows a range of different materials and growth demonstrator for smart robotic manufacturing. with introducing new products.
experts and support staff, the Henry Royce Institute techniques to be combined. At its core is a bespoke reconfigurable production
delivers national programmes in materials science environment that integrates advanced robotics,
• The Materials Innovation Factory in Liverpool, which
that extend beyond the capabilities of any one autonomous material handling, machine vision, AI
has one of the largest concentrations of materials
institution. and digital connectivity across plant, system and
science robotics in the world.
device levels. Unlike traditional fixed automation, it
Four pillars support both industry and academia,
The Centre for Energy Materials Research, Oxford, enables robotic cells and processes to be dynamically
namely:
specialising in research into air-sensitive energy reconfigured as product requirements change.
• Enabling national materials research, storage materials, and with facilities to provide an
Robots are no longer locked into single tasks or static
collaboration and strategy enhanced ability to synthesise, test and characterise
layouts. Instead intelligent sensing, real-time data
air-sensitive materials for batteries.
• Providing access to world-leading facilities and and AI-driven controls allow systems to adapt to
National
National
research expertise Research areas include: variable geometries, mixed-model production and NATIONAL
Electronics
late-stage design changes that ordinarily would Electronics
• Catalysing industrial collaboration and • Maintaining the UK’s pioneering role in two-
halt or severely disrupt a traditional automated line.
Competition
Competition
accelerating translation dimensional materials and nanomaterials ELECTRONICS
The result is a factory that is capable of ‘plug-and-
composites and enabling new architectures
• Fostering materials science skills development, produce’ automation, allowing for maximisation of
and fabrication methods for electronic and COMPETITION
innovation training and outreach asset utilisation, reduction of changeover times and a
optoelectronic devices.
lowering of risk in automation investment in uncertain
Key facilities include: Entries Entries National Electronics
National Electronics
• Atoms to Devices enabling the design of new markets.
Competition
Competition
• Equipment for fabrication of new battery devices and new technological solutions through The benefits to you: The benefits to you:
An exclusive competition for students of
The emphasis is on sectors where robotics and • Learn how to write a technical paper
structures, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the deposition of precisely controlled thin films, the • Have your project promoted in an An exclusive competition for students
• Learn how to write a technical paper
An exclusive competition for students
Arkwright affiliated Schools.
of Arkwright affiliated Schools.
automation are business-critical, such as aerospace, Institution publication • Have your project promoted in an of Arkwright affiliated Schools.
Institution publication
X-ray tomography and electrochemical engineering of interfaces and the ability to control • Be in with a chance of winning The Institution of Electronics was founded in 1930.
The Institution of Electronics was founded in 1930.
• Be in with a chance of winning
automotive, defence, construction, nuclear, medical, a category award This competition will give the Institution the
After a period of relative inactivity the Institution is partnering the
After a period of relative inactivity the Institution is partnering the
a category award
characterisation. doping on the nanoscale. • Join the Institution of Electronics Arkwright Scholarships Trust to rejuvenate its membership with the
Arkwright Scholarships Trust to rejuvenate its membership with the
• Join the Institution of Electronics
’brightest and best’ future leaders of UK electronics and to provide
’brightest and best’ future leaders of UK electronics and to provide
and help guide its future development
food manufacturing and the space sector. and help guide its future development benefit to the UK’s electronics education and industry.
chance to champion the cause of young
benefit to the UK’s electronics education and industry.
This competition will give the Institution the chance to champion the
• An Ambient Processing Cluster Tool consisting of a • Pioneering methods in computer-aided design, Entry requirements: Entry requirements: This competition will give the Institution the chance to champion the
people pursuing electronics projects within the
cause of young people pursuing electronics projects within the
cause of young people pursuing electronics projects within the
The author illustrates the versatility of Omnifactory • Applicants must attend an Arkwright-affiliated school, curriculum, extra-curricular and at home.

• Applicants must attend an Arkwright-affiliated school,
curriculum, extra-curricular and at home.
series of twelve custom-built ‘gloveboxes’ allowing machine learning and robotics for materials but applicants do not have to be Arkwright Engineering Applicants become student members of the Institution and will

but applicants do not have to be Arkwright Engineering
curriculum, extra-curricular and at home.
Scholars
Applicants become student members of the Institution and will
Scholars
by referencing the Flexible Nacelle Manufacturing • Applicants must complete a project where electronics be invited to join the task-force that will plan the next phase of the
be invited to join the task-force that will plan the next phase of the
for the design and fabrication of battery, PV, LED discovery and characterisation. are integral to its successful function Institut Institution’s development as an incubator for future leaders of
• Applicants must complete a project where electronics ion’s development as an incubator for future leaders of
are integral to its successful function
the electronics industry.
Applicants become student members of the
Assembly project (FLEXELLE) led by BAE Systems. This • Application is free to students holding student the electronics industry.
• Application is free to students holding student
and other customised materials and devices at membership of the Institution of Electronics
membership of the Institution of Electronics
• Materials systems for demanding environments. reimagined large-scale aerostructure assembly Institution and will be invited to join the task-force
• Applicants must report on their project using a
the Maxwell Centre in Cambridge. • Applicants must report on their project using a What to do next?
What to do next?
simplified ‘Technical Paper’ format and a two-minute
simplified ‘Technical Paper’ format and a two-minute
through the use of robotic systems combined with video that will plan the next phase of the Institution’s
video
• Read the application guidelines on the next page
• Read the application guidelines on the next page
measurement-assisted determinate assembly, or Entry categories: development as an incubator for future leaders
Entry categories:
• Read the example technical paper
• Read the example technical paper
1. Any student -Year 11 (England & Wales), • Complete your electronics project
1. Any student -Year 11 (England & Wales),
• Complete your electronics project
of the electronics industry. • Complete your technical paper and video
S4 (Scotland), Year 12 (Northern Ireland)
S4 (Scotland), Year 12 (Northern Ireland)
• Complete your technical paper and video
2. Any student -Year 12 & 13 (England & Wales), • Post the video to YouTube
2. Any student -Year 12 & 13 (England & Wales),
• Post the video to YouTube
S5 & S6 (Scotland), Year 13 & 14 (Northern Ireland) • Submit your application to the Institution by email
S5 & S6 (Scotland), Year 13 & 14 (Northern Ireland)
• Submit your application to the Institution by email
3. Arkwright Scholars • Ensure you hold current membership of the Institution of Electronics
3. Arkwright Scholars • Ensure you hold current membership of the Institution of Electronics
8 4. Arkwright alumni in 1st / 2nd year of an 9
4. Arkwright alumni in 1st / 2nd year of an
undergraduate degree
undergraduate degree
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