How UK firm CloudNC is pioneering AI based manufacturing

The simple version is that we’ve opened a new precision machining factory which offers huge cost savings for anyone who needs CNC machined parts. The core technology is AI powered software that completely automates the programming of CNC machines, and achieves much faster production cycle times than is possible using traditional software, resulting in correspondingly lower costs.

We are also developing a new kind of software driven approach to running the plant that we call the Factory Operating System and are implementing this in Factory 1 – our first manufacturing facility. Our mission is to completely revolutionise the £100bn CNC machined parts industry – to bring aerospace grade quality at around half the price, for customers who need anything from a single part through to runs of hundreds or thousands.

There are three fundamental issues in industry today. The first is that before you can start producing components, you need to CAM program the machine. This is extremely complex, very time consuming, and requires great skill. This makes prototypes and small batches very expensive as the cost can’t be spread. Also, many more of these skilled CAM programmers are retiring than are entering the profession, so we have a skills crunch.