Automation blog
Five challenges in High-Mix, Low-Volume (HMLV) packaging and palletizing processes
21 December 2021 The new product has just left the factory, in a shelf-ready package in the specified mixed ratio to meet customer needs. The packaging has actually been handled by another company: a co-packer. Co-packing can be found in all Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) markets, but especially in the higher-priced product segments such as personal care or confectionery, to name a few examples. It is a fast-growing activity to satisfy the consumer demand for more variety.
Productivity Peaks: Moving Maintenance From Preventive to Predictive
17 December 2021 Maintenance is a vital key to a thriving business, especially in manufacturing where 24/7 plant equipment uptime is often expected as standard. As any established enterprise knows, keeping production lines and systems running optimally requires more than a skilled maintenance team. It also involves careful planning, tight scheduling, constant vigilance, a willingness to change out unworn parts, and a readiness to respond to unplanned events. At least, it used to.
Finished seals in less than 10 seconds: Robotics Integrated Controller ensures harmonious control
24 November 2021 Trelleborg Livorno has updated a robotic cell for the finishing of polyurethane gaskets for the sustainable wind energy market. The cornerstone of the solution is OMRON's Robotics Integrated Controller that ensures integration and synchronization of all automation components, including robots, logic, motion, safety and user interface.
FasThink optimizes Garnet's intralogistics with mobile robots
02 November 2021 Garnet relies on FasThink to innovate its logistics and production processes.
Intelligent System Solutions with Autonomous Mobile Robot: AM-Flow and OMRON
27 October 2021 Industry 4.0 brings the promise of streamlined processes, big data insights and production lines running 24/7 with zero downtime. Unlike historical ‘industrial revolutions,’ this one offers the luxury of time and choice for manufacturers. That’s because the benefits of automation can be embraced incrementally or fully, whether it’s a new state-of-the-art facility or something retrofit-installed into a more traditional production setup. Making it easier to make the move is AM-Flow, an entrepreneurial start-up currently making waves in providing its solutions to the new tide of producers coming ashore in the world of additive manufacturing.
Fuelling the success of local battery cell production
20 September 2021 Expert and automotive manufacturers alike agree that e-mobility is the future. Batteries and battery manufacturing are central to this development. In this context, the global market for lithium-ion batteries is expected to grow from 44.2 billion US dollars (2020) to 94.4 billion dollars (2025). The transformation of the automotive industry from internal combustion engines to battery or hydrogen-powered fuel cells is presenting companies with immense challenges.
Developing digital capability: how any factory can be smart
16 September 2021 Thankfully, the headline-grabbing ‘Industry 4.0’ isn’t reserved exclusively for the high-tech giants that span the globe, nor is the term ‘smart factory’ applied only to brand-new installations. In truth, any traditional factory can in principle take steps on the smart factory journey, by applying modularity to the existing installation.
Unika makes Landmark decision to bring quality levels to new heights
25 August 2021 OMRON TM cobots with integrated vision system eliminate human error, increase production efficiency.
Flexible, safe and easy collaborative welding solution from Guidetti Technology
20 August 2021 Guidetti Technology SRL has integrated OMRON collaborative robots (cobots) into its ‘EasyArc’ welding solution. This is used in collaborative applications on small batches of various types of metal carpentry
How labour shortages are affecting the logistics sector and why automation is the solution
11 August 2021 By Stuart Coulton, Regional Manager, OMRON UK North
Monitor machine stability with data science
16 July 2021 Do you have a machine with no problems? You’re probably already collecting production and machine data, but not using it. With a quick scan of your data, it is possible to judge the usability and quality of the data and start using the value inside the data. This will help you define the first or next step towards a data enabled organization.