M. C. Bonney

Loughborough University, University of Nottingham

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

M. C. Bonney’s research career focused on advancing industrial robotics and flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), particularly through simulation and modular design. His most influential work, “The simulation of industrial robot systems” (1984, 11 citations), pioneered computer-based modeling to optimize robot cell layouts and operations before physical installation—a foundational approach that reduced costs and risks in early automation. Bonney further contributed to educational FMS with his 2002 paper on a modular re-configurable approach, which introduced a three-level hierarchical control system (host computer, supervisory control, and device level) to simplify the creation of flexible manufacturing cells for teaching. This work enabled students to experiment with real-world automation principles in scalable, cost-effective setups. Earlier, in “Planning robot installations by CAD” (1982, 2 citations), he demonstrated how computer-aided design could streamline robot integration into factories. Though his citation counts are modest, Bonney’s emphasis on simulation and modularity anticipated later trends in digital twins and reconfigurable manufacturing. His contributions remain relevant for researchers exploring how to bridge industrial robotics with accessible, adaptable educational tools.