The University of Sheffield recently opened its Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru in North Wales and AMRC member Schunk UK (www.schunk.com) played a key role.

Holding the ceremonial ribbon for First Minister Mark Drakeford to cut was a Schunk EGH Co-act gripper attached to a Kuka collaborative robot (cobot).

This is the latest addition to the Co-act gripper family — a flexible system (for gripping and moving small and medium-size workpieces) that can be attached to the cobot quickly and easily.

Described by Welsh government ministers as a ‘game changer’ for the economies of Wales and the North, the AMRC Cymru is a purpose-built facility close to the Airbus wing-manufacturing plant in Broughton.

Situated in the Deeside Enterprise Zone, it will provide a 2,000m² open-access research area with a focus on advanced manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, automotive and nuclear.

It is predicted that the new facility could boost the Welsh economy by as much as £4 billion over the next 20 years.