The AMTCE shall combine legacy technologies with the latest in innovations, such as KUKA robots

The hope with industry 4.0, and related technologies, is that countries like Ireland can compete on the global stage, based on innovation rather than low cost.

22 December 2021

The AMTCE was established in 2020 to address the skills and training needs of the Irish manufacturing sector. Located in the Xerox Technology Park, Dundalk, their ambition is to become the leading provider of advanced manufacturing training in Ireland.

The AMTCE will help to bridge the skills gap by providing opportunities for companies and their employees to upskill, or rescale, in technologies that are relevant to industry by way of practically orientated ‘hands on experience’ training with state-of-the-art equipment, delivered by leading industry trainers using flexible delivery modes in response to changing industry needs.

Industry will benefit massively from the centre once it is fully up and running, by being able to come into the centre and get hands-on exposure to the latest in advanced manufacturing technologies, including robotics, cobotics and other robotic processes such as welding and 3D printing. They can then operationalize those technologies within their businesses in order to drive increased productivity, competitiveness, and operational resilience.

Michael McGrath, Director, AMTCE said of the centres development “Really, I suppose the mantra and the hope with industry 4.0 and related technologies is that countries like Ireland can compete on the global stage, based on innovation rather than low cost. The centre really is about putting that sort of intellectual capacity, skills, and capability into Irish industry in order that they (Ireland) can compete”.

The KUKA group has always had a large focus on Research and Education, and since establishing KUKA Ireland back in 2014, has concentrated on the research centre and the developing Education sector here in Ireland.

Brian Cooney, Managing Director, KUKA Ireland said: What's very different about us (KUKA) from an Irish context, is that KUKA are actually the only robot manufacturer that have Sales, Service, Application Engineering, and Training, all within a dedicated facility here in Ireland. We're quite unique in that regard, and it gives us a strong basis with which to work with all our research partners, rather than resource being provided from outside Ireland”.

The Advanced Technology Centre of Excellence

The AMTCE represents a significant public investment in the training needs of the Irish manufacturing sector. The centre is dedicated to providing high quality training through a variety of delivery modes in Industry 4.0 using state-of-the-art technologies for delivery and learning.

"A skilled workforce which evolves in response to technology advancement and opportunity is critical to the sustainable success of companies as they navigate through the digital transformation of their companies". - AMTCE

The AMTCE has a clear focus upon upskilling within the Irish manufacturing sector

The AMTCE provides an opportunity to revolutionise traditional crafts and hands-on skills, and combine legacy technologies with the latest in innovations, such as robotics, putting the next generation of technology capabilities in place, and to then train people on those technologies, such as Robotic Welding, the likes of which will really shape how manufacturers will operate into the future.

Michael added: “This centre is located in the largest population centre in Ireland, outside of Dublin. There are over two and a half million people within one hour of the centre’s location, and seven Universities. It's really about partnership, and that's one of the key reasons why we work with the likes of KUKA because they provide state-of-the-art equipment, but they're also a partner who we shall work with to develop training, because we're very much about the development of skills delivery and training. We therefore required a partnership with our vendors in order to realize that goal”.

The way that technology is starting to evolve and certainly the new types and kinds of processes that are emerging, is interesting. It's about fusing technologies into new technology platforms. Robotic processes are no longer just a manual movement of material from A to B to C, it's now about combining robotics with technology such as welding, 3D printing, visual inspection systems or other forms of inspection capability. Legacy technology is being combined with the latest in robotics to deliver the next generation of technologies, catalysing the innovation and onward development of industry.

Of the evolution of research and development initiatives in Ireland, Brian Cooney said: “It's changed over the last number of years. There has been a lot of funding put into research and development initiatives by Government and through EU funding. A lot of research programs are being established, but the AMTCE is quite unique in that it's actually looking at research from the point of view of lower levels; so level six, taking individuals who have a certain level of education within Manufacturing, but enabling them to upskill and reskill in cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art manufacturing principles. In that respect, it's unique within Europe”.

Michael summarised: “We (AMTCE) are investing quite heavily in a lot of e-learning technologies which will allow us to have both a national reach, but also to extend beyond our borders into Europe, so we'll be looking to the future for our further opportunities in order to extend our reach outside Ireland. Our training will be provided by leading industry practitioners and that allows us to be agile and to be nimble, and to respond to the needs of the manufacturing industry in in very quick order”.