Partner profile: TQC
Company
Description
TQC is a
privately owned company based in Nottingham, which has
provided innovative turnkey solutions to special engineering
applications for over 25 years. These automated systems meet
the design, manufacturing and testing requirements of many
companies. TQC specialises in the areas of special purpose
machines, leak testing machines, automated assembly and
factory automation requirements. The company has successfully
supplied factory automation and test machines to the
automotive, medical, pharmaceutical and food industries.
Highly
qualified and experienced TQC mechanical, electrical and
software design engineers are supported by on-site
manufacturing, fabrication and proving facilities. Computer
based project management, modern control techniques and CAD
facilities are all used to achieve successful bespoke
solutions for our engineering projects.
As every
aspect of electrical, mechanical and software design, together
with project development and manufacture, is conducted on
site, we are able to take full responsibility for our
projects. Computer listings of parts, wiring diagrams and
other maintenance information enable us to offer an efficient
after sales support service.
Our reasons
for participation in EUPASS
TQC is well
aware of the dynamic status of engineering, and specifically
manufacturing, markets today. As such we believe that it is
important to be at the forefront of research and development
work. This requires us to have a substantial involvement in a
variety of European research projects, chief amongst them
being EUPASS at the present time.
EUPASS offers
TQC new opportunities and experiences and the real possibility
of being a major player in the future assembly systems
market. In addition we believe that our strong expertise,
both technical and managerial, will enable us to be highly
involved in the progression of EUPASS.
TQC’s role in
EUPASS
TQC has two
roles in the EUPASS project; technical and managerial.
Our technical
role consists of heavy involvement in the specification,
design, co-ordination, integration and testing of the first
EUPASS Platform, built in Month 18 of the project. This
required sustained effort and, though it does differ, the role
is similar to our day-to-day business, therefore we were
always confident of our ability to fulfil this role.
On a
managerial level, TQC is responsible for Work Package 4: the
physical realisation of the EUPASS concept. We are also
members of the Project Management Group: responsible for the
key decisions and guidance of the project.
Challenges for
TQC in EUPASS
TQC is an SME
and as such our experience is generally within purely
commercial applications. Research and development projects of
this scale are a relatively new departure for the company,
though TQC does have its roots in this field. However, we
believe that our position enables us to bring fresh and
different opinions, ideas and experiences to the project. We
are also confident that our skills enable us to be a
productive participant in the project.
Vision on the
future of Micro assembly systems
TQC, like most
SMEs, is on the frontline of many rapid developments in the
assembly system world. We see that the current key issues of
quality control, reliability, increased functionality and
reduced cost will continue to have a major influence on all
aspects of manufacturing. Automation is fast becoming
essential to all businesses. We are keen to see and be
involved in any developments, like the EUPASS project, that
bring the enabling technologies for this level of assembly
automation within the reach of other SMEs.
