COnnected REconfigurable Factory

The Connected Reconfigurable Factory (COREF) project is a Thales UK-led collaborative initiative to develop digitally connected, scalable laboratory environments that demonstrate the factory of the future. This multi-partner project involves the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), and supply chain partners to create low-risk, real-world testing environments for advanced manufacturing technologies. The project focuses on developing reconfigurable production systems that can be rapidly adapted to different manufacturing requirements, incorporating digital connectivity, automation, and Industry 4.0 principles. COREF serves as both a technology demonstrator and an industrial development platform, providing facilities and expertise to support UK supply chain advancement in smart manufacturing capabilities.

COREF is creating smart, flexible factory spaces that can quickly change what they make and how they make it. Think of it like a factory floor that can be easily rearranged and reprogrammed to produce different products without major rebuilding. The project brings together major companies and research centres to test new manufacturing technologies in a safe environment before using them in real production. This helps UK manufacturers become more competitive by adopting cutting-edge digital tools and flexible production methods.

The project has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of rapidly reconfigurable manufacturing systems through digital connectivity and modular design principles. Key achievements include the development of scalable laboratory environments that reduce technology adoption risks for supply chain partners, the creation of standardised interfaces for quick system reconfiguration, and the establishment of collaborative frameworks between industry and research institutions. The demonstrator has validated approaches for integrating Industry 4.0 technologies in practical manufacturing settings, showing measurable improvements in production flexibility and time-to-market for new products.