FAQs

The simple answer is yes.

SP Automation & Robotics CE mark all of its machines, using a well-established process developed over the years to ensure all our systems are correctly CE Marked. The process is carried out in house by our engineers to cover all aspects of CE Marking.

Payment terms are tailored to suit each customer and project type.

Just like our system, payment terms vary between customer and project size. SP Automation & Robotics will negotiate with each customer to obtain a best fit for all stakeholders. We generally like to base payment schedules on measurable milestones, i.e. completion of design, build phases and so on. This provides a transparent approach for both SP Automation & Robotics and its clients.

SP Automation & Robotics employs fulltime engineers in the following areas:

• Mechanical design
• Control system design
• Control System Technician
• Software – Multiple platforms
• Manufacturing
• Build, commissioning and Training

SP Automation & Robotics recognise the importance of having all resources in house in fulltime employment to ensure we can closely control projects, and not have to plan around subcontract availability. Our Engineers are continuously developing and learning as new Technology is put into the market.

Yes. SP Automation & Robotics has the capabilities and expertise to fully integrate the equipment we provide. We then train the client to ensure they are fully up to speed with the operation and maintenance of the machine.

Some of our clients already have the capabilities to install the equipment and chose to do so themselves. This is entirely up to the client and we can support them with the integration to whatever level they require.

A visit to a client’s site can take many forms depending on the client’s needs. Normally a visit falls into one or a combination of the following forms:

1. The client has identified a need for automation in a particular process or requires a bespoke machine. In this case SP Automation & Robotics will come on site to see the manual process in person and to discuss all relevant technical information. This will then be followed by a discussion on what the client’s needs and expectations are for the new system.
2. The client has identified the need for automation but does not quite know where or how they could deploy it. In this case we will come on site to act as consultants initially. We will normally have a tour of the site and quite quickly be able to identify where automation would be most beneficial. After identifying the areas to automate we will then take the same approach as 1).
3. There are many other reasons for a visit to a client’s site. These can vary from design reviews, commercial terms meeting, consulting on whether a part is suitable for automation and many other reasons. We encourage clients to also come on site to SP Automation & Robotics to see our capabilities and meet our team in person.

We always encourage clients to send through any information they have before the visit. This allows our application engineers to bring examples of similar systems we have deployed for the client to review.

The nature of special purpose automation means that it is inherently a high risk proposition. We are designing and inventing machines for products and processes, which are often new inventions themselves.

The way we mitigate the risk is to carry out both a technical and commercial assessment of the project, before any orders are placed.

We identify and highlight any areas of concern and then propose a mini-project: this mini-project is used to prove principle or develop prototype mechanisms on the high risk areas.

This development work can have three possible outcomes:

1. The proposed concept worked as intended and is progressed through to the machine design.
2. The proposed concept does not work as intended and we have to modify it, or completely change it altogether.
3. No concept for an automated solution can be found with the current product design – the customer will have to review their product or process.

SP Automation & Robotics integrate a number of manufacturers for different elements used on a bespoke system.

We integrate the following control system suppliers:

• • Mitsubishi;
  • Allen Bradley (Rockwell Automation);
  • Beckhoff;
  • Omron;
  • Siemens

We integrate the following robots:

• • • • Universal Robots;
      • ABB;
      • Universal Robots;
      • Kawasaki;
      • Kuka;
      • Staubli

We also use both Festo and SMC pneumatics.

These are just a selection of manufacturers that our customers have specified we use. If you, as the customer, need SP Automation & Robotics to use another manufacturer, we have the ability to do so.

The normal/average value of a bespoke automation project is usually somewhere between £100,000.00 to £300,000.00, however we have delivered individual projects up to £2 million in value.

Our systems are located mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland. These are widely spread from the most southern parts of England and Wales all the way up to the highlands of Scotland. We also have many key account clients spread over Ireland and Northern Ireland.

In addition to these, we have machines installed across Europe and within the USA, all of which are integrated by SP Automation & Robotics and supported by our team of highly skilled and dynamic engineers.

Yes – SP Automation & Robotics are currently ISO 9001:2015 accredited.

Copies of our certification are available on request.

As a bespoke machine builder and systems integrator we have vast experience of a wide range of industries.

Some of the industries we have provided with automated systems are:

• Pharmaceutical
• Medical Device
• Food & Drink
• Plastics
• Aerospace and Defence
• Automotive
• Electronics
• Oil and Gas
• Packaging
• Construction

Quotations on average take two to three weeks to compile.

There are several factors which affect this, such as:

1. Complexity and scale of the required automation.
2. Information available such as technical drawings, user requirement specifications, commercial agreements etc.
3. Response times of suppliers (if there is a robot on a machine, we are at the mercy of the applicable manufacturer to supply prices/technical information).