Productive Machines has secured a £510,000 investment from Digital Catapult to scale its autonomous milling software and strengthen UK manufacturing capabilities.
The South Yorkshire-based company develops SenseNC, a tool designed to optimise machining operations before they reach CNC machines. The technology has already been adopted in the aerospace sector, with successful pilots involving firms such as AML and structural steel specialist FICEP UK. It has also seen implementation support from the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre in Belfast.
The investment will support expansion across the UK and Europe, while also enabling entry into the US market. The company has already reshored two aerospace part production processes from overseas, a move expected to continue as more firms explore digital tools to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
Productive Machines plans to grow its customer base and deepen sales partnerships, positioning its software as a driver for cost savings, carbon reduction, and productivity improvements. The funding aligns with national goals to reshore advanced manufacturing and enhance industrial resilience through innovation in deep tech.
