Capturing digital information offers manufacturers the opportunity to create a detailed picture of how their production and processes are working. It helps them to improve their decision making, increase their efficiencies, and puts them in a better position to grow. Additionally, digital processes encourage and develop digital skills, enable greater productivity and provide the opportunity for staff to move into higher value jobs. 

Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring is a collaborative project that brings together a range of people working in the manufacturing industry with university researchers to adapt low-cost accessible technologies for companies to use. Conceived in 2016 by Duncan McFarlane, Professor of Industrial Information Engineering at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department, the project launched in 2018 and in the following three years demonstrated its potential for industrial impact with the help of industry partners.

Partners include manufacturers such as Warren Services, Kemdent and Buchanan Orthotics; organisations including MakeUK, High Value Manufacturing and Digital Catapults, as well as education-focussed initiatives including ESP-Scotland and SERC (South Eastern Regional College) in Northern Ireland; and, technology providers such as Raspberry Pi, Siemens and Microsoft.