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Q5D completes £1.8 million Innovate UK project to automate the manufacture of aerospace electrical systems

Portishead-based manufacturer Q5D Technologies has completed a pioneering project, LiveWire, with its partners, focused on automating the manufacture of wiring for aerospace systems.

Funded by Innovate UK, the £1.8 million project combines the knowledge of the world’s largest aerospace companies and the technical capabilities of UK SMEs and academic institutes to make lower cost, higher quality and lighter components.

Q5D, which makes five-axis, additive manufacturing robots for wire harness and printed electronics automation, will shortly be launching a product for the aerospace, automotive, medical, industrial, and consumer sectors.

“Wire harnesses are critical in many designs, from electric vehicles to aircraft to consumer electronics, but most of this production is manual and labour intensive,” says Simon Baggot, CMO, Q5D.

“Q5D’s robots automate those processes, enabling manufacturers to cut costs, reduce waste, and develop products with more complex wiring. For example, in the car industry, precision wiring can enable carmakers to add more features and differentiate their products.”

Automation also ensures that manufacturers are less reliant on low-cost overseas labour, meaning OEMs and contract manufacturers can ‘reshore’ production in their native market.

This makes them less vulnerable to the supply chain disruption, such as that caused by the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, both of which have constrained the ability of European car makers to meet their market demands.

Reducing supply chain distances also reduces the carbon cost of shipping, leading to significant environmental benefits.

Q5D has recently opened new state-of-the-art facilities in Portishead which bring together core operations from design and engineering to manufacturing and testing.

The company won a £15,000 Innovate UK EDGE grant to access the resources and facilities of the Catapult Network, which was secured with support from Innovate UK EDGE Funding Specialist, Adele Reynolds.

“Adele’s been brilliant at helping us to identify grant opportunities” says Rachel Eggington, COO, Q5D, “and her support was instrumental in helping us to secure a Catapult grant.”

Q5D is now working with the Catapult Network to develop new printed electronics materials for the aerospace industry as it looks to transition away from silver.

“That project will give us scope to partner with aerospace companies on pioneering new technologies.

“We also worked with Innovate UK EDGE’s Stephanie Fox to secure an IP Audit grant, which has helped us to strategically map out our IP goals and then secure a further IPO grant to act on the audit findings.”

“It’s given us a huge amount of confidence and a clear direction of travel as we develop new technologies and re-approach our investment community.”

“Overall, Stephanie’s been brilliant at understanding our challenges and identifying the specialist support we need. She’s been able to build an extended team around us that can help deliver expert knowledge and skills.”

Innovate UK EDGE will continue to support Q5D as it continues to revolutionise the wire harness industry, enabling new possibilities in aerospace, automotive, medical devices and other sectors.

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