Blackman & White

Research solution

Essex academics Dr John Woods and Dr Vishwanathan Mohan from the School of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, teamed up to tackle a complex project requiring expertise across the topics of kinematics, firmware design for robotic control, data visualisation and software engineering, combined into a multi-faceted academic approach.

Academic input has shaped the direction of the project into a phased approach. Initially, the project focused on overhauling and optimising the existing, overly complex firmware underpinning Blackman and White’s product range. Latterly, additional subjects such as data visualisation and machine learning for predictive maintenance have become more prominent in the research agenda.

Business value

The project has already rolled out revolutionary new firmware to Blackman and White’s existing machinery deployed all over the world. This firmware is improving machinery efficiency and cut speed, delivering increased accuracy for clients and extending runtime and reliability for operators.

Over £1m in revenue has been generated in sales of new-generation cutting machines augmented by the novel software and firmware delivered by the KTP project. A variety of other innovations, including an Industry 4.0-equipped dashboard and remote error logging functionality, are due for delivery by the end of the project.

The KTP between Essex and Blackman & White is so successful it’s been rated as “outstanding” by Innovate UK’s national KTP grading panel – the highest grade possible.

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