Smart Machines & Factories

The launch of technology manufacturer Beckhoff Automation’s Solution Provider programme aims to couple end users with trusted, competent partners. The programme will help to deliver best-in-class solutions by combining innovative and creative products and knowledge.

Rockwell Automation, a leading company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has announced a partnership with Kezzler, a cloud-based product digitisation and traceability platform, to help manufacturers capture the journey of their products from raw material sources to point-of-sale or beyond using cloud-based supply chain solutions that focus on product traceability.

ABB has announced it will acquire ASTI Mobile Robotics Group (ASTI), a leading global autonomous mobile robot (AMR) manufacturer with a broad portfolio across all major applications enabled by the company’s software suite.

The new Tork productivity guide provides five steps to using “kaizen” for a sustainable competitive advantage

As industrial automation systems become increasingly technical and data-driven, the need for automation equipment suppliers and system integrators to work more closely together has increased exponentially.

Building on the success of its first ever open house in 2019 and its debut virtual offering in 2020, FANUC UK has announced it will host an automation event in November this year.

Getting to grips with robotic automation is now said to be even easier with the launch of ABB’s Virtual Assistance support service. The service uses a virtual platform to provide fast access to expert support to help solve technical queries and issues face to face, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

Smart Hub Lanarkshire – a state-of-the-art new centre that can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector to grow and prepare for the future – has announced a programme of free summer online events to help SMEs learn about the benefits of robotic technologies.

FANUC UK has announced Polestar Interactive as the first strategic network and systems integration partner for its Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform, FIELD (FANUC Intelligent Edge Link and Drive) system.

Comau is pleased to announce that it has successfully released its Comau Next Generation Programming Platform, a protocol that implements the Uniform Robotics Data Interface (URDI) communications standard to simplify robot programming.

The National Robotarium is to develop made-to-measure 3D laser beams which has the potential to transform the capabilities of UK manufacturing.

Siemens has collaborated with Oracle, a global strategic cloud provider, on a high-performance processing solution that will help energy suppliers to better manage the substantial data processing demands that will come with market wide Half Hourly Settlement (HHS).

Eurotech, a leading supplier of hardware and software components to develop and deploy edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, has announced its Multi-service IoT Edge Gateway, ReliaGATE 10-14 and Everyware Software Framework have been PSA Certified Level 1. This independent IoT security certification offers customers and partners standards-based compliance and will help organizations overcome barriers to global IoT adoption.

Panasonic Factory Solutions, a division of Panasonic Industry Europe, and SMD-Tec, a leading technical distributor for high-tech capital goods for the production of electronic products in BeNeLux with more than ten years of experience in the markets, announce their future collaboration.

Coventry-based precision engineering business, Harris RCS, has taken delivery of its first two industrial robots to reap the benefits of factory automation. The Automata Eva machines will drive the manufacturer’s digital transformation, automating more mundane tasks which will allow staff to develop new skillsets to support the company’s future growth.

Project Dignity is the first UK winner of Samsung Electronics’ Solve for Tomorrow competition, a global initiative delivered in partnership with Digital Catapult that challenges young people to use technology in creative ways to help improve their community and positively impact their surroundings.

Researchers at Newcastle University Business School are to look at how small businesses have understood and complied with government regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hannover Messe will return in 2022 between the 25th – 29th April as a physical event, following a two year absence. It will run in parallel with a range of digital services for exhibitors and visitors. Digitalisation and decarbonisation of industry will be the key themes at next year’s show.

FutureOn, a global software company and digital twin pioneer, has announced it has partnered with the cloud-based well planning company, Oliasoft, to launch a new software offering designed to disrupt business as usual across the oil and gas industry, and revolutionise subsea planning.

Individuals and enterprises are recognized for successfully envisioning, planning, and executing the digital transformation of their offerings and organizations.

Following the G7 summit hosted in Cornwall and the new Spaceport being built, the South West Business Council, including Lord Robin Teverson and the Earl of Devon, are promoting the South West as an innovation powerhouse.

AVEVA, a leader in industrial software driving digital transformation and sustainability, has announced it has formed a new alliance with Wood, a consulting and engineering company, to accelerate digital transformation of industries such as power, energy, chemicals and mining with the launch of a new solution called Connected Build, a key part of Wood’s Digital Twin offering .

In the past forty years, technology has greatly changed the way we live and do business. Especially in the latter half of that period, the Internet and the Internet of Smart Things have completely changed the appearance of global industries.

Additive Manufacturing and industrial 3D printing processes are booming, changing the way manufacturers work and invent. Rapid changes on the manufacturing side, means rapid changes in the work environment, and businesses must work to keep up and ensure the work environment related to new technologies like Selective Laser Sintering is safe.

Smart sensor technology from ABB is providing remote condition monitoring on critical motors at a new carbon capture plant in the UK, thereby reducing the number of man-hours required on site.