Every company needs to ensure that its machines and systems are being well utilised and have high run-times. After all, idle and downtime periods in machines and plants don’t contribute towards economic success. Consequently, production schedulers endeavor to keep downtime to a minimum. In order to intervene as quickly as necessary, it’s important to signal process statuses clearly.

In broad terms, integration enables increased speed and precision of production processes due to more finely tuned technology and control systems.

Len McGanity, Product Manager for ABB, explains the importance of Automatic Transfer Switches (ATSs) and how the latest generation of switches can save time and effort when installing critical power and fire safety systems.

NUM has helped Original Point Machine Tools (OPMT) to develop an advanced 8-axis CNC machining centre capable of processing many different types of materials, including metal, ceramics, glass and cemented carbide.

In this advanced technological age machines continue to outstrip man in terms of speed and efficiency. Fully automated systems are commonplace but technology can also greatly assist in human based operations bringing vastly improved output.  Pick-to-light technology is a perfect example of machine aiding man in traditional labour intensive tasks.

Smart manufacturing is developing momentum. Many machine builders and their end customers are beginning to put the foundation in place that will enable them to benefit from the intelligence machines can bring.

After two years’ building work in Rottweil a new state-of-the-art tower for testing high speed ThyssenKrupp lifts has been commissioned.

The PPMA show will be returning to the NEC in Birmingham from the 26-28 September for another three day process and packaging extravaganza.