Smart Machines & Factories

The recent winner of a Gold Edition cobot (collaborative robot) from Universal Robots, Chesham-based B-Loony Ltd, says the new addition will join six existing UR3 cobots on site*, all of which are being used to increase productivity in previously laborious manual tasks and help the company gain vital market share. Smart Machines & Factories reports.

John Browett, general manager of the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) Europe, looks at some of the challenges inherent in digital transformation and how to address them.

Andy Penfold, director of offering management at ADLINK Technology, describes how digital experimentation with the Internet of Things (IoT) leads to innovation and looks at potential solutions for creating a clearer path to innovative IoT.

Developing the UK’s IT infrastructure across manufacturing sectors is essential. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) for industrial applications, brings a need for IT specialists to implement such technology, and train the manufacturing workforce on how to use it. Smart Machines & Factories reports.

George Walker, managing director of industrial control and automation provider Novotek UK and Ireland, explains the core benefits of edge computing.

In 2018, Facebook faced a class action lawsuit over its use of facial recognition technology. The lawsuit alleged that Facebook gathered biometric information without users’ explicit consent. Technology has rapidly caught up with the human ability to read faces, progressing to a stage where facial recognition could improve industrial security. Smart Machines & Factories reports.

Smart Machines & Factories looks at how food and beverage manufacturers can reduce downtime using predictive analytics to enable prescriptive maintenance.

Advance notice of two new training opportunities ... • AMTC, Coventry, 26 March • The Crystal, London, 28 March

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are continuing to grow in importance within Industry 4.0. With Industrial Intelligence as its lead theme, the 2019 Hannover Messe is putting this development centre stage. Smart Machines & Factories reports.

If Industry 4.0 has so much to offer manufacturers, why are so few of them rushing to implement it? Smart Machines & Factories spoke to Carl Sharpe, UK & Ireland sales manager of compressed air specialist BOGE who has some practical, real-life examples to show how its benefits can easily be gained right now.

Critics of 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, have long cited the technology’s reliance on plastic filament as the primary print material, and it would seem that with the global focus on reducing plastic wastage they have a point - or do they? Has 3D printing now reached a maturity level where it cannot only support the sustainability agenda, but actively drive it? Smart Machines & Factories reports.

Industrial plant operators are increasingly supporting better decision-making by using the digitalisation capabilities available through instrumentation and plant management systems. Saverio Barbero Lodigiani and David Lincoln for ABB Measurement and Analytics in the UK, explain how these capabilities can help to boost plant and process performance by providing the data needed for smarter operation and maintenance.

Various different terms have evolved to describe the Industry 4.0 phenomenon: but are they helping industry to understand the changes ahead or is language a barrier to implementation? Aaron Blutstein looks for answers in conversation with Steve Sands (SS) of Festo.