VX Machina is David Amos’s independent robotics engineering practice — ~15 years in robotics and motion control — industrial robot cells and film motion control. Most work starts with a fixed-scope Simulation Sprint. Uncertain projects start with a Robot Cell Review. Larger integration support is quoted as bespoke.
Independent technical assessment
Not sure a sprint is the right next step? A fixed-price, remote-first review of one cell or concept, ending in a go / revise / investigate-further recommendation.
Simulation & offline programming
Fixed-scope 2–4-week sprint on one robotic application: cell model, reach and interference, cycle-time estimates, offline programs ready for on-site touch-up.
Robot-side engineering, embedded in your project
Defined robot-engineering work packages inside your integration project. Bespoke quote after scoping; you or your integrator stay contractor of record.
| Offer A · Qualify firstRobot Cell Review | Offer B · Lead offerRobotics Simulation Sprint | Offer C · BespokeIntegration Engineering Support | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Integrators who need a reach, layout or cycle-time feasibility check for a quote; manufacturers who want a vendor-neutral second opinion, or need to know why a cell runs below target | Integrators with more quotes and projects than simulation hours; manufacturers planning a new cell, a product changeover or a layout change; machining and finishing users who need robot paths from CAD | Integrators who need robot-engineering capacity for a defined period; manufacturers with a principal integrator in place; project teams protecting robot-side milestones |
| What’s included | Review of one agreed cell, concept or workflow; targeted simulation where it helps (ABB RobotStudio, KUKA.Sim or Robotmaster); 60-minute remote readout call | Work packages chosen in the Statement of Work (SoW): cell model and layout validation, cycle-time study, offline programs (ABB RAPID / KUKA KRL, Robotmaster paths), safety-zone concept checked in simulation | Scope modules named in each contract: engineering review and documentation, simulation and offline programming, robot programming and robot–line I/O, safety-concept support, site commissioning support, technical handover |
| Deliverables | Written review; prioritised risk and action register; a go / revise / investigate-further recommendation; report and any simulation files handed over | Handover pack: agreed native station files, programs, assumptions and open-constraints log, one remote handover session | The outputs of each contracted module, ending with as-built programs, change log and operator notes |
| Process | Fit call → scope and quote within two working days → your inputs → written findings → readout call | Scoping call → SoW with fixed price and acceptance tests → data check → mid-sprint review (layout frozen) → delivery and handover → acceptance | Robot Cell Review or scoping workshop → responsibility matrix → proposal → signed SoW |
| Timeline | Typically 5–10 working days from complete inputs and deposit | 2–4 weeks from complete inputs; 10-working-day acceptance window | Per project: milestones and dates are set in the SoW |
| Price | €2,500 – €5,000provisional, VAT status pending50% on order · balance on delivery of the report | €10,000 – €20,000provisional, VAT status pending40% on signature · 40% at mid-sprint review · 20% on acceptance | €20,000 – €40,000+provisional, VAT status pendingTypical project value · deposit ≥ 30% on signature, then milestones or monthly |
| Next step | Offer A in full · book a 20-minute fit call | Offer B in full · book a 20-minute fit call | Offer C in full · book a 20-minute fit call |
These are the public references. David’s film motion-control credits are personal credits, listed on the homepage; they are not VX Machina client contracts.
The whole cell built in ABB RobotStudio: layout, positioners, robot programming and cycle time.
Ten robots with conveyors and light curtains, laid out and simulated as a concept.
An ABB robot loading a CNC lathe from bar pallets.
Safety zoning with ABB SafeMove around a large robot and its fixture racks.
An offline machining path on a KUKA robot, programmed in Robotmaster.
All five cells are public: Visual Machinist on Adobe Portfolio, Robot cell design and simulation. Client names and project details stay confidential.
Send robot brand, task and deadline. You get a reply with a recommended next step within two working days — or a straight no if it isn’t a fit.
VX MACHINA