Smart Machines & Factories

The Manufacturing Technology Centre has taken delivery of two agile robotic dogs as part of MTC Liverpool's Digital Manufacturing Accelerator programme. Named Spot, the robotic dogs can climb stairs and cross rough terrain which would defeat most robots.

Speaking at the New Street Research and BCG 5G Conference recently, Dan Rodriguez, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of the Network Platforms Group, discussed three major inflection points driving and changing the landscape of technology and business: 5G network transformation, artificial intelligence and the rise of the intelligent edge.

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Made Smarter, the UK’s manufacturing digitalisation movement, have announced a new HVM Catapult-led Made Smarter Smart Factory Innovation Hubs pilot. This will see its network offer companies the opportunity to reduce the risk of implementing new digital manufacturing solutions within their businesses.

There was a time when securing sensitive information was as simple as putting a lock on a filing cabinet. But with the rapid development of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and cloud computing technologies, industrial data protection has become much more complex.

British manufacturing companies moved at speed towards digitalisation when the pandemic struck, with nearly half switching to digital working practices within two weeks of lockdown, according to new research, ‘Digital Skills for a Digital Manufacturing Future’, published recently by Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation and Sage. With just a fortnight’s digital installation and planning, 94% of companies said they had staff working successfully from home in industries often associated with manual tasks and a high proportion of production-based work.

Injuries in sport are inevitable, but the greatest sporting comebacks haven’t been achieved by simply accepting the circumstances and waiting for recovery. The same philosophy can be applied to factory shutdowns. Chris Johnson explores the factory maintenance opportunities gifted by an unexpected pause in production.

Thanks to its recognised efficiency-enhancing benefits, additive manufacturing is a technology increasingly integrated within the production operations of companies around the world. Lee-Bath Nelson looks at how, with the right software solutions, manufacturers can enjoy safe, repeatable and trackable production while also ensuring that fundamental certification requirements are adhered to.

Visit Phoenix Contact’s free, virtual conference and experience our latest product innovations and industry insights simply, digitally and interactively.

Nick Sacke explains how deploying high performance units to provide enhanced Internet connectivity from day one at existing and new warehouses can offer tangible benefits for logistics firms as they rebound post the current pandemic.

Centrica Storage limited (CSL) and Vodafone will build the gas plant of the future at their Easington facility by launching the first 5G ready mobile private network (MPN) for the oil and gas industry.

Treatt, an ingredients manufacturer and solutions provider to the global flavour, fragrance and consumer goods markets, has partnered with Siemens Digital Industries (DI) to build a world class digital manufacturing facility at its £41m new global headquarters.

New research by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has revealed that young people have taken inspiration from healthcare professionals and engineers during the Covid-19 pandemic to enhance their perceptions of real and life changing engineering and science to consider these roles for future careers.

Schneider Electric is calling for a revolution in automation technologies, based on open standards, that, it says, will “unleash innovation and boost efficiency, resilience, productivity, agility and sustainability”. It has unveiled what it describes as “the world’s first software-centric automation system” and says the time is right for a bold move in industrial automation. It is urging industrial users, vendors, OEMs, systems integrators to embrace what it calls “universal automation”.

A leadership programme equipping business leaders with the vision and the skills to pursue smarter manufacturing is being rolled out to leading universities.

British manufacturing companies have taken significant steps in adopting digital technologies with some 80% confident that Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs) will be a reality in their businesses by 2025, according to new research, ‘Bouncing Back Smarter: Innovation Monitor 2020’, published by Make UK - the manufacturers’ organisation - and Infor.

ABB has acquired Codian Robotics B.V., a leading provider of delta robots, which are used primarily for high-precision pick and place applications. Codian Robotics’ product range includes a hygienic design line for hygiene-sensitive industries including food and beverage and pharmaceuticals. With the transaction, ABB is accelerating its engagement in the growing field of delta robots.

As a consequence of the Government’s recent announcement to the delay of events taking place from October 2020, and the continued uncertainty and local lockdowns, DFA Media, organiser of Smart Industry Exhibition and co-located shows, has announced the event has been rescheduled for 5th - 7th April 2022, which will take place alongside MACH Exhibition. The co-location of events include:

Made Smarter has launched a new, streamlined process to enable more SME manufacturers to speed up their digital transformation.

The Government will be investing £147m in the Manufacturing Made Smarter challenge to transform UK manufacturing capabilities through the development and adoption of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs).

As we work to manage our emergence from the in-the-moment quest for survival that characterised the height of the pandemic, our politicians must turn their minds to the longer-term view and, crucially, how to rebuild the British economy. Dick Elsy, CBE, chief executive, HVM Catapult, reports.

Sheet metal firm Salamander Fabrications has partnered with Siemens Mobility and The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to undergo an environmentally friendly project that will transform its operations to become entirely paperless.

As we enter the Autumn and industry, the economy and the political world emerges from the late summer break all eyes will be on how far the recovery is becoming entrenched or whether there remain many long months ahead. Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, the manufacturers' organisation, comments.

Having been given the green light to go ahead by the Government, the forthcoming co-located events; Smart Industry Expo, Plant & Asset Management, Drives & Controls, Fluid Power & Systems, and Air-Tech Exhibitions – will return to Birmingham’s NEC between the 25th -27th January 2021, alongside MACH.

Having been given the green light to go ahead by the Government, the forthcoming co-located events; Smart Industry Expo, Plant & Asset Management, Drives & Controls, Fluid Power & Systems, and Air-Tech Exhibitions – will return to Birmingham’s NEC between the 25th -27th January 2021, alongside MACH.

Having been given the green light to go ahead by the Government, the forthcoming co-located events; Smart Industry Expo, Plant & Asset Management, Drives & Controls, Fluid Power & Systems, and Air-Tech Exhibitions – will return to Birmingham’s NEC between the 25th -27th January 2021, alongside MACH.