Robots pushing automation
As Henry Ford once said ‘if there is a machine to do the job and you don’t buy it, you will ultimately pay for it but will not have it’. The importance of automation will be a key driver at the PPMA Show 2014.
Despite government initiatives such as the Automating Manufacturing Programme which saw 367 UK manufacturers carrying out full scale reviews of their production lines with a view to automation, there is still a significant lag in the uptake of robotic systems. This is particularly prevalent within the food sector and includes all stages of the production line including automation of handling and storage systems.
However, now is a good time to be involved in manufacturing in the UK. Not only are we seeing growth but confidence is spreading throughout industry. This is partly internally driven but is assisted by positive rhetoric, and increasingly action, from HM government.
This has been a long time coming, but is now to be embraced. It is right to recognise that UK manufacturers have a track record of competitively innovating for both product and process development. And that they have made strides in the application of lean engineering to become more efficient.
Vision systems aid automation
Increasingly robots and automation have become far more flexible being highly programmable and often use the latest vision system technology to enhance applications. Much of this is also on display at the PPMA Show in September with many of the United Kingdom Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA) member companies exhibiting alongside the robot and automation suppliers.
Automate to remain competitive
In the battle to constantly improve and compete in globalised markets, it is essential that we recognise and address the weaknesses in our industrial base as well as celebrating its strengths. And when it comes to the flaws in the profile of UK manufacturing, its poor investment in capital equipment, especially industrial automation technologies, is prominent.
Everybody recognises that robots are appropriate for the automotive industry but it is worrying that many also seem to believe that they are only appropriate for the automotive industry.
Robots are only one form of automation – there are many more – but they offer one of the most obvious examples of the way in which automation can be highly flexible and relevant to all – even companies with relatively small production runs and the need for frequent, quick product changes can benefit from automation from the start of the production line to handling and storage.
Records of robot installations show that increasing numbers of manufacturers are opening their eyes to the versatility of robot technology. We are significantly behind the curve in comparison with our main European competitors, but it is encouraging to note that robot installations in the UK in 2012 achieved a record of 2477 units, up 98% on 2011.
Admittedly many of these were delivered into the automotive industry but we did also see consistent growth outside of automotive. Over the course of the Automating Manufacturing Programme, run by BARA on the behalf of government, 367 companies across sectors, most of them SMEs, showed that they are actively engaged with the idea of investing in automation.
If you have not seriously considered automation and robotics within your manufacturing and investment strategies could I respectfully suggest that you do so.
Automating manufacturing programme successfully completed
The government’s recent drive to automate UK manufacturing under the automating manufacturing programme was completed in September 2013. Grant Collier, speaking for the PPMA Group of Associations, says: “We have already seen how 367 manufacturers around the UK participated in the Government funded Automating Manufacturing Programme which sends in an independent automation expert to show manufacturers how they can benefit from automation.”
53 Companies then went on to second stage detailed reviews of between 4 and 21 days. All of the £600,000 grant has been used up maximising the number of manufacturers benefitting from the programme. The British Automation and Robot Association (BARA – part of the PPMA Group), is in discussion with UK Government to establish whether there is any further grant money available.
Applications for the programme came from a wide range of industries, including over one third from the food sector which is surprising since this has traditionally been an area very slow to adopt automation. Collier adds: “It is frustrating to hear time and again, that many of the food sector companies are reluctant to automate due to the shortness of contracts and the ability to withdraw them with little notice from the major supermarkets. It is hoped that this will improve with the recent appointment of Christine Tacon, Groceries Code Adjudicator – a regulator that will monitor relationships and practices within the grocery supply chain.”
The PPMA Show 2014
Taking place between September 30th and October 2nd 2014, The PPMA Show has returned to the sole ownership of the PPMA Group of Trade Associations after twelve years as a joint venture with Reed Exhibitions. Mike Wilson, chairman of BARA – part of the PPMA Group says: “This is an exciting time for the show as we actively seek further sectors that we can demonstrate the benefits of robotics and automation in UK manufacturing and how industrial vision systems are enhancing the intelligence of automation solutions. Many of these systems will be on show at the exhibition with over 300 exhibitors and 8,000 visitors. We would urge anyone interested in seeing what can be done with automating handling and storage to diary the show dates and come and see what’s on offer.”
