Digital Catapult, a deep tech innovation organisation, has invested £510,000 into
Productive Machines, a Yorkshire-based start-up that is set to transform UK digital supply chains. The investment will enable the company to scale the customer base for its SenseNC products, the world’s first autonomous milling optimisation software, and reshore manufacturing by increasing the competitiveness of local manufacturers, which will in turn drive greater resilience of UK digital supply chains.
The software streamlines machining operations by simulating and optimising various machine settings, helping manufacturers to optimise performance before operations are sent to CNC machines to precisely cut, shape, and finish materials. This computer-controlled machining method reduces the need for time-consuming trial-and-error processes, where production approaches are tested and refined. SenseNCTM minimises waste, lowers costs, and delivers significant gains in sustainability and productivity.
The Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution has already been successfully trialled by manufacturers in the aerospace sector, including
AML, a leader in the precision machining of metallic components, resulting in optimised and decarbonised manufacturing processes. The company managed to reshore production of two different aerospace parts back to the UK from overseas suppliers. Similar success has been achieved with partners such as
Ficep UK, a leading supplier of structural steel and plate fabrication machine tools, and the
Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in Belfast.
The SenseNC Feeds product is available on the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace, priced at £1,250 to support manufacturers of all sizes. Following Digital Catapult’s investment, Productive Machines is looking to respond to expressions of interest from prospective partners and customers in Europe and the USA. Businesses interested in Productive Machines’ SenseNC software, can access a demonstration
here.
Erdem Ozturk, CEO and co-founder of Productive Machines, said: “Digital Catapult’s investment will enable us to grow our customer base in the UK and Europe as well as expand to international markets where there is growing demand and interest in our solution. The UK has long been a leader in manufacturing, but with increasing global competition, solutions like our SenseNC software will be critical to sharpening the country’s competitive edge and reshoring processes back into the UK. Our next step will be to invest further into direct sales and partnerships, where we hope to demonstrate the value of investing into deep tech, and how collaboration and partnership is key to long-term start up and sectoral success.”
Susan Bowen, CEO of Digital Catapult, said: “With a solution that can cut costs, decarbonise operations and increase productivity for manufacturers across the country, Productive Machines’ solution could transform the UK’s digital supply chains. With this investment, we are looking forward to working closely with Productive Machines to unlock opportunities to reshore UK manufacturing and boost industrial competitiveness.”
Digital Catapult’s investment takes the form of a convertible loan note and is made available by
Innovate UK to allow Catapults to invest directly in the businesses they are supporting.