Automation has shifted from an optional enhancement to a defining advantage in modern manufacturing. For
AddQual Ltd, the Derby-based specialist in metrology and quality assurance, automation is far more than the deployment of robots — it represents a reimagining of how data, processes and people interact to deliver faster, clearer and more dependable outcomes for customers across aerospace, power generation and other advanced sectors. The company calls this philosophy ‘beyond inspection’.
Founded in 2016, AddQual has carved out a strong reputation for tackling one of industry’s most persistent challenges: the delays caused by qualification and inspection bottlenecks. By concentrating on structured metrology and sophisticated data automation, the business aims to reduce scrap costs, accelerate new product introduction and give manufacturers access to real‑time decision-making. One of the company’s latest investments is its JARViS (Joint Automated Recognition, Vision & Intelligence System) collaborative robot (cobot), reflecting AddQual’s view that metrology must not be left behind in the wider industrial automation movement.
Ben Anderson, managing director of AddQual said: “Manufacturers often ask: what should and could be automated in inspection? The Jarvis cobot is a great example of where automation drives real productivity. A process that traditionally took hours can now be delivered in a fraction of the time, with more consistency and less operator fatigue. Instead of replacing people, it is augmenting their capability so they can focus on higher-value tasks.”
While robotics offers clear benefits, Mr Anderson believes the most transformative frontier is digital. Manufacturing environments remain full of queues — waiting for measurement data to be captured, interpreted, approved and communicated. In many cases, this back-and-forth between supplier and customer can stretch to a week before decisions are finalised. AddQual aims to dismantle this cycle through a series of automated, digestible steps.
Eliminate bottlenecksMr Anderson explained: “Artificial intelligence (AI) and logic-based rule decisions are changing how we think about inspection data. Rather than a manual loop of interpretation, feedback and more measurement, our systems apply rules consistently and instantly. Both sides see the data transparently, and decisions can be made without downtime. That is how you eliminate bottlenecks.” This digital-first approach creates a more responsive and collaborative environment, with all parties working from the same live data set. The result is shorter lead times, fewer delays and improved product quality.
At the heart of this capability is AddQual’s proprietary MiDAS (Metrology Interface DAShboard) platform, already in operation at
Rolls-Royce and other major OEMs. Designed to give immediate visibility of measurement data, delivery status and process quality, MiDAS supports full traceability across complex manufacturing workflows. Its deployment on customer sites has demonstrated its value as a seamless conduit for transparency between supplier and manufacturer.
Mr Anderson said: “MiDAS is really the embodiment of our philosophy. It is quicker, it is faster, and it is fairer — for both parties. It removes the ambiguity that has plagued inspection for years. When everyone can see the same data in real time, trust grows, decisions are easier, and outcomes are better. That is what modern supply chains demand.”
With digital automation at its core, AddQual is positioning itself at the intersection of several pressing industrial challenges: sustainability, productivity and the widening skills gap. By automating repeatable elements of inspection, applying AI to support consistent decision-making, and structuring data for reliability and clarity, the company aims to reduce waste, cut costs and improve the resilience of critical supply chains.
Mr Anderson concluded: “Our mission has always been to solve the problems that frustrate manufacturers — bottlenecks, delays, inconsistencies. Automation, both physical and digital, is the way we do it. The future of manufacturing will belong to those who can combine data, technology, and people to deliver quality at speed — and that’s exactly where AddQual is leading.”