Manufacturing Update - March 2022 by jetdigitalmedia

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March 2022

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MANUFACTURING UPDATE At the forefront of digital marketing, Manufactuing Update strives to bring its readers the latest in industrial manufacturing, in a format that provides the best usability and ease of use for it’s readers.

MANUFACTURING PDATE 1 21/02/2022 11:29 www.manufacturing-update.co.uk

FoodSafety250x210UK.pdf

March 2022

CMY

Enhanced security for your food production RANTY AR

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years on

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March 2022

www.manufacturing-update.co.uk Publication Director

Sales Director

Publishing House

Kane Weller 01843 580 460 Kane@engineering-update.co.uk

Tim Johnston 01843 448 443 tim@engineering-update.co.uk

Editor

Editorial Assistant

Jet Digital Media Ltd, Suite 1 & 2 Spratling Court Offices, Spratling Street, Manston, Kent CT12 5AN

Taylor Owens 01843 267 690 KRUK half page page generic(2).pdf taylor@engineering-update.co.uk

Laura Sharpe

01843 448 443

1laura@engineering-update.co.uk 22/02/2021 17:09

www.jetdigitalmedia.co.uk

Manufacturing PDATE

Multi-skilled high performers.... Kawasaki robots deliver high-performance, reliably and consistantly, for the widest range of manufacturing applications. From high-speed precision assembly to taking the strain of handling ultra heavy products, there are Kawasaki robots world-wide helping businesses achieve their maximum potential.

Contact us now to discover more about practical and affordable leasing terms on all new Kawasaki robots. info@kawasakirobotuk.com robotics.kawasaki.com +44 (0)1925 713000

Kawasaki Robotics (UK) Ltd 3

The solution to programming in manufacturing

~ The advantages of low-code and no-code robotics platforms in manufacturing ~

Manufacturing PDATE

he manufacturing industry is currently experiencing a shortage of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills. At a company level, this can cause a decrease in innovation and reduce profit margins. This skill shortage is apparent in the UK manufacturing and engineering sectors, where 85 per cent of managers reported struggling to find a suitable candidate. Could low-coding and no-coding robotics be the key to solving the sectors skill shortage? Here Neil Bellinger, head of EMEA at automation parts supplier EU Automation, discusses the use of low-code and no-code robotics in manufacturing and the advantages of this technology. The transformation to programming as we know it through the introduction of low-code and no-code platforms makes the implementation of robotics in automation more accessible. Lowcode and no-code robotics simplifies complex programming using visual modelling and drag-and-drop user interfaces. Therefore, little to no programming knowledge is required. Low-code automation platforms usually comprise built-in visual modules which are quick and easy to use. However, these platforms do require some coding knowledge

March 2022

when implementing complex or specific interactions. Although those with no coding experience can use low-code automation, there is still a need for coding at points. No-code automation platforms, on the other hand, require no coding knowledge. Users instead automate processes through graphical user interfaces rather than traditional programming. The interface works via drag-and-drop boxes that imitate user interactions with a computer. These platforms completely remove the need for technical knowledge and are designed to accelerate the automation process. Advantages of application Low-code and no-code robotics applies to various processes in the manufacturing industry, from material handling to welding. For example, due to the easy-to-use format of no-code platforms, robots can be reprogrammed easily for different jobs via the adjustment of their arm. While companies would once require multiple robots, now a simple adjustment can be made by a non-technical person, saving companies time, space and money. One of the ways this technology benefits the manufacturing industry is by addressing the STEM skills shortage in the industry. The use of low-code and no-code platforms

in manufacturing increases the flexibility and autonomy of automation. The high level of feature richness and integrations allow for the automation of any process to meet the companies demands, providing more opportunities for employees and potential employees with no technical background. The application of no-code robots and cobots can benefit manufacturing companies through a higher return on investments (ROI), decreased operating costs, and improved reliability and precision. However, this kind of investment may prove expensive for smaller manufacturers due to the initial cost of implementing these robots. The trend of low and no-coding platforms is rising, with 84 per cent of enterprises in the US, UK, Canada and Australia implementing low-code development platforms to lessen coding needs. This interest in low and no-code is likely to rise in the future. At EU Automation, we always look for the latest trends in automation. From HMIs and displays to motors and encoders, we provide for all needs, helping manufacturers progress and democratise the field of robotics. To find out more about our list of products, head to www.euautomation.com/uk.

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KARDEX: ROBOTICS DELIVER FAST ORDER PICKING Yesterday’s intralogistics solutions are simply not sophisticated enough to match today’s demands. The smartest and latest technology will move companies from good to great if they utilise the features to their ultimate potential.

y leveraging warehouse automation to its limits, order fulfillment will see significant cost savings and enhanced performance. As a result, companies can stay ahead of competition by meeting market requirements, such as sameday delivery and buy online, pick up in store. To achieve this, they should consider replacing manual order picking and replenishment with modern technologies while working with an intralogistics partner that understands their market. An experienced partner who delivers transparent, fast and scalable intralogistics.

Manufacturing PDATE

In association with Robomotive, Kardex provides customers with a substantial advantage by integrating robots that pick, process and place single items and full cases to and from any picking stations and storage systems. The Kardex Vertical Lift Module (VLM) Shuttle XP maintains an outstanding track record and reputation in the retail and e-commerce market. It is designed to meet increasing order expectations, high product availability and optimise order fulfillment processes. A Shuttle XP features an enclosed shelf-based storage system designed to increase storage capacity in a more compact footprint. Operating on the ‘goods-to-person’ principle, the VLM increases productivity by delivering required goods directly to the operator during order fulfillment. These systems are modular and flexible in design, which enables future adjustments for your business needs. Taking the Kardex Shuttle a step further, Robomotive pick and place robots manage the stress often felt in

March 2022

retail and e-commerce warehouses. Many companies face significant challenges with order picking due to the increasing complexity of market requirements. In some instances, workers first separate products visually and then pick and place them. In other cases, workers pick single pieces from the storage system and then bring them to another source (e.g., packing machine or sorting system). Both applications are characterized by high demands on workforce accompanied by corresponding monotony. By working flawlessly 24/7, Robomotive pick and place robots take over manual processes like order picking, replenishing, (de)palletising, and more, relieving existing workforce and enabling accelerated speed and accuracy in order fulfillment. With nine years of experience working with rapid image processing and by using a one-ofa-kind, internally developed 3D-Vision software, the pick and place robots replicate the exact precision and synchronisation of a person’s hand-eye coordination to create a multi-functional, versatile and agile work performance. Robomotive’s technology combines software and hardware mechanisms by using 3D cameras, grippers and smart software algorithms. The technology allows the robots to recognize, grip and locate objects precisely. They provide safe, high-performance picking and placing for various items commonly seen in e-commerce such as cubes, tubes, cylinders and various other shapes. Kardex are hosting a webinar on how you can revolutionise your order picking with robotics: click here to register for the webinar or go to: https://www.kardex.com/en/webinar-robotics-2022

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Lamonde Automation Limited Quality Products: Expert Advice

NEW ifm TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHECKS ITSELF For processes where accurate temperature control is essential and deviations could have costly implications, the new TCC self-checking temperature sensor from ifm electronic provides an invaluable added level of assurance. The sensor continually monitors its own performance and, if an internal failure occurs or excessive drift is detected in measurement accuracy, it gives a visual warning and sends an alert message to the plant control system so that immediate action can then be taken to minimise the impact of the problem.

Manufacturing PDATE

he TCC temperature sensor maintains an accuracy of ± 0.2 K across its whole measuring range of -25 to +160 degrees C and offers exceptional measuring stability between calibrations. It also uses IO-Link technology to ensure that the measured results are delivered accurately to the control system, even with long connecting leads and in noisy electrical environments. These features, together with the self-checking functionality, make the new sensor an excellent choice for use in even the most demanding and critical applications. The TCC sensor has a translucent end cap that is illuminated green in normal operation. The sensor continually checks its own performance against an

March 2022

internal reference, and if deviation outside a pre-set tolerance range (which can be adjusted from 0.5 to 3 K) is detected, the end cap illumination changes to red, giving the user an instant and highly visible warning of the malfunction. Simultaneously, an alert signal is issued via the IO-Link connection. The same actions occur if the sensor detects a serious internal malfunction. TCC self-checking temperature sensors from ifm electronic have stainless steel bodies and an IP69K ingress protection rating. They can be used at pressures up to 160 bar, and are available in versions with installation depths from 30 to 550 mm.

An unbeatable team!

Enhanced security for your food production RANTY AR

years if m p r o d

With ifm you can monitor and control your hygienic production processes in a precise and, thanks to IO-Link, even more comprehensive and convenient way: The new TCC temperature sensor with integrated Calibration Check Technology continuously validates the measured value and protects the production process and product quality in equal measure. The LMT level switch works reliably even in highly viscous, sticky and foaming products . It simply ignores build-up. The full metal pressure sensor PM15 is the world’s first hygienically approved (3A and EHEDG) sensor with G1/2”process connection and ceramic-capacitive measuring cell. This enables greatly simplified and cost effective connection to small diameter pipework. The compact LDL conductivity sensors help you to establish efficient CIP- cleaning and increase the availability of your system. ifm - close to you!

Go ifmonline ifm.com/uk

ABB’s latest flexible robotic handling solutions on show at MACH 2022 •

Latest FlexLoader™ machine tending solution picks straight from pallets carried by AGVs

•

Easy-to-use GoFa™ cobot offers 5kg payload capacity and longest reach in its class

•

The ACOPOS 6D handling system uses magnetic levitation for precise placement of material carrying shuttles

ABB

will showcase its latest advanced automated handling and robotics solutions at MACH 2022 (NEC Birmingham, 4-8 April), including a high payload collaborative robot, machine tending systems to suit every production need and a magnetic levitation-based conveyance system.

Manufacturing PDATE

Stand 18-310 will feature an example of one of ABB’s latest robotic machine tending solutions. The ABB FlexLoader M for AGV, is a fully automated feeder for automated guided vehicles. Handling all types of workpieces, it can pick straight from the pallet brought to it by the AGV. ABB’s complete range of FlexLoader M automated machine tending solutions will be shown on the stand in a series of videos and displays, with solutions designed to suit every need, from simple applications to advanced tasks. Today customers are demanding greater choice and customizability with quick delivery times. ABB’s FlexLoader M range accommodates this by enhancing machine utilization, flexibility and responding fast to batch size one, high mix and low volume production. Fast to program and user friendly, no robotic expertise is required making it easy to fine-tune when business needs change over a period. There will also be a presentation on ABB FlexArc® robotic welding cells, complete robot systems that are available in several flexible, modular packages, offering the best combination of price and performance for custom-built welding.

March 2022

ABB’s latest high-capacity collaborative robot, GoFa will be present on the stand. Designed as a collaborative partner for a wide range of applications, GoFa offers a 5kg payload and a class-leading 950 mm reach. With a top speed of 2.2 m/s, GoFa is faster than other cobots in its class, while also offering easy programming and a high degree of built-in safety. Visitors to the stand will see GoFa in action alongside ACOPOS 6D; a revolutionary new handling system that uses magnetically levitating shuttles to carry products and materials to processing stations, eliminating mechanical wear and speeding up transit times. ACOPOS 6D uses a variety of magnetic shuttles to carry payloads of 0.6 to 14 kilograms, reaching speeds of up to 2 m/s. They can move freely in two-dimensional space, rotate and

tilt along three axes and offer precise control over the height of levitation. Offering six degrees of motion control freedom, the shuttles can be precisely positioned to within ±5 µm, making ACOPOS 6D perfectly suited for applications with strict positioning requirements. “The ability to achieve faster, more flexible manufacturing is becoming increasingly important for businesses looking to maximize their productivity and competitiveness,” explains Matthew Rollins, Business Development Manager for ABB Robotics in UK and Ireland. “The solutions on display on our stand are part of a wider portfolio of products and systems that can help companies to take advantage of the real growth opportunities presented by automation." For more information, visit new.abb.com/products/robotics/

R TE IS G OW RE N

7-9 JUNE 2022

NEC, BIRMINGHAM 25

NOW IN ITS 45TH YEAR 30

BACK THIS JUNE! THE UK'S LARGEST SUBCONTRACT MANUFACTURING SUPPLY CHAIN SHOW 70

CO-LOCATED WITH

SH W

Over 200 world-class exhibitors 3 days of cutting-edge conference sessions from industry thought-leaders Countless networking opportunities

AND SO MUCH MORE!

INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING?

Make sure you’re at the must-attend event for subcontract manufacturing buyers across all industry sectors! Get in touch with Jason.dante@markallengroup.com for more information.

WWW.SUBCONSHOW.CO.UK JOIN THE CONVERSATION

@SubconShow #SubconShow

Manufacturing PDATE

The UK’s must-attend subcontract manufacturing supply chain show Subcon is confirmed to return from 7-9 June 2022 at the NEC, Birmingham. Join the sector in-person as the show celebrates 45 years as the UK’s leading subcontract manufacturing supply chain show. 12

March 2022

The Engineer Expo The Engineer Expo is the dedicated event for the advanced engineering community that drives manufacturing and design solutions. It has been curated by The Engineer, the UK’s leading engineering publication, to provide a unique platform for engineers to source the latest advanced engineering technology, products and services, enabling them to optimise production and process throughout the manufacturing cycle.

Manufacturing Management Show After the success in 2021, the very popular Manufacturing Management Show (MMS) is also back this year. Brought to you by the team behind the industry leading Manufacturing Management magazine, MMS brings together everything you need to know about running a successful manufacturing site, under one roof - from maintenance, materials handling, sustainability, skills, IT and health & safety.

ollowing the success of last year’s event, Subcon is back bigger and better than ever before! With over 4000 visitors attending and more than 200 exhibitors to discover, Subcon 2022 will provide the sector with unbeatable face-to-face networking, the latest innovations and the very best business solutions. The 2022 show will see the return of international suppliers, extra networking facilities and an all new Supply Chain Theatre. Subcon remains the premier event for subcontract manufacturers and engineers that are looking to do business in person and reconnect with their peers.

Subcon, The Engineer Expo and Manufacturing Management Show will showcase the best British and International suppliers. Alongside the exhibition, there will also be

three conference theatres running in parallel, The Engineer Theatre, Manufacturing Management Theatre and the all new Supply Chain Theatre. Together they will provide visitors with high quality content, case-study led discussions and best practice to apply directly to their businesses. Previous speaking companies have included, AE Aerospace, BAE Systems, Make UK, HP, PwC and many more! New event director Jason Dante, commented “We’re delighted to welcome visitors and exhibitors back to the NEC for Subcon’s 45th year. “The show provides visitors and exhibitors with a unique opportunity to source solutions, share ideas and remain competitive within the sector. The last two years have provided unprecedented challenges to the industry, but the resilience and optimism within the sector is clear and Subcon is the perfect opportunity to celebrate this.“ “There are plenty of new and exciting changes and additions to this year’s show including the new Supply Chain Theatre which will tackle some of the sectors biggest manufacturing challenges. So keep an eye on the website and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the NEC this June!” Interested in finding out more? Visit www.subconshow.co.uk to find out about visiting the show or the exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities.

Manufacturing PDATE

and unrestricted access to all three shows and together under one roof, they will provide a pivotal space for businesses of all sizes to react to the impact of covid-19 and the adjustment to operating outside the EU.

This year, Subcon will once again be collocated with The Engineer Expo and Manufacturing Management Show. Visitors will benefit from free

March 2022

How Industrial IoT is improving Manufacturing By Andy Graham, Solutions Manager, SolutionsPT

Manufacturing PDATE

The Internet of Things (IOT) refers to the huge and evergrowing network of intelligent devices and computers that are connected and sharing vast amounts of real time data. When we talk about the Industrial Internet of Things, we’re referring to the same general ideas as above, but Industrial IoT refers more specifically to the devices, processes and people associated with industries like manufacturing and infrastructure. continues page 16...

March 2022

The new Interroll Split-Tray Sorter Fast, flexible sortation for everyone Interroll introduces the new Split-Tray Sorter: the perfect solution for small and mid-sized items. Efficiency and low maintenance make this new sorter attractive for those looking for lower operating costs and quicker return on investment. It is an ideal solution for the 3PL , E-Commerce, Fashion and CEP industries. Easy to install and reliable with its proven mechanical components & integrated control solution Lightweight and energy-efficient - with a single motor every 40 meters Compact but dense footprint with plenty of destinations Extremely quiet with only <70 dB(A) noise levels

Interroll Limited Unit 1a Orion Way Kettering, Northants NN15 6NL Tel. +44 / 15 36 31 27 70 Email: gb.sales@interroll.com

interroll.com

continued from page 14...

icrosoft showed 13 billion connected IoT devices by 2021, with this number set to increase by 2022, the implications are vast and far-reaching. IoT is more for improving our everyday life (think smart homes and Alexa) whereas IIoT devices and services handle critical industrial and plant floor operations and are used to collate valuable data. Incorporate IIoT technology into your organisation and you can create-game changing operational efficiencies. Here’s how that’s happening.

Using Industrial IoT to your advantage

Manufacturing PDATE

Predictive maintenance to reduce downtime

more energy or raw goods than usual. Issues can be rectified quickly and easily before they can escalate into unsuspecting, spiralling costs or the quality of the finished products.

This is just one example of a manufacturer using their newly integrated IIoT devices to maximise sales, reduce shipping costs and meet shifting consumer demand.

Intelligent Edge to Drive Growth

Keeping up with the competition

The wider manufacturing industrial companies are finding effective uses for industrial IOT as part of Industry 4.0. One of the most effective is predictive maintenance. IIoT enables easier, non-intrusive implementation of the right sensors so we can take advantage of these latest technologies. This is becoming increasingly apparent in older assets we have become so reliant upon.

The term Intelligent Edge or Edge Computing in its simplest terms refer to the connected systems and devices that are collecting data, locally at the edge. Domestically, it could be your house but, in this case, we’re looking at your plants and control rooms. Instead of Smart Home we now have a Smart Factories.

There’s no need to wait until a machine needs to be repaired to carry out vital fixes. By using predictive analytics, we can identify a machine’s future problems and act accordingly.

The information you’re collating via sensors and data points is processed and analysed by systems to provide deeper insight into your processes. These insights are then presented in context so you can make intelligent decisions which can drive growth.

It’s more than just identifying an old piece of kit that’s on the cusp of dying. It’s using machine learning analysis and multiple sensor points to collate the necessary data and predict failure months in advance. This reduces unplanned downtime, lowers the costs of unnecessary maintenance, and keeps things running along smoothly. The same concept applies to operational efficiency and real-time business decisions. For example, the right people can receive a notification when a certain line is consuming

March 2022

In practice, this could look like a manufacturer who makes condiments linking digital price displays to their production levels via a shared network. So, they could better track inventory and on average how long it takes for their products to sell. Once this information is integrated with other data sources (like the weather forecast), then a manufacturer has all the information they need to determine buyer behaviour and adjust stock levels accordingly.

Those sensors and IIoT devices we mentioned a little earlier are rising in use, popularity and, crucially, falling in cost. The average cost of a sensor in 2018 was just 44 cents which represents a 200% decrease from 2004. The very nature of IIoT solutions also reduces implementation costs in comparison to standard PLCs and devices. So, manufacturers have access to these sensors and they’re putting them to good use. The industry is more connected than ever thanks to Industrial IoT and the byproduct of advanced data processing. The IT systems that are most often used for data-centric computing are converging with their OT counterparts that are used to control and monitor processes and devices. This means more information, deeper insight, and smarter industry operations as a result. Cloud connected IIoT sensors can help manufacturers gain the benefits of a connected system without having to spend a lot of money on creating expensive infrastructure.

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March 2022