NORELEM
HOW STANDARD COMPONENTS MINIMISE DOWNTIME AND PROVIDE BUSINESS CONTINUITY David Messant, Production Manager at standard components specialist norelem, explores how standard components can be used to implement digital, supply chain and robotics solutions to minimise downtime and maximise productivity.
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raditionally, engineering and manufacturing has been dependent on human and machine working side by side. However, this reliance also creates risk – if a machine goes into unplanned downtime, or the machinery operator is not available, the whole production line can come to a halt. As a consequence, business revenue and profits suffer, and if not resolved quickly, then the business itself can be put in danger.
02 - AUTOMATION Mag - OCTOBER 2020
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For many manufacturers, increasing their resilience to these issues is crucial to survival, but can also be the key to unlocking even greater productivity potential. So-called ‘Industry 4.0’ technologies such as automation, AI and digitisation are already allowing businesses to stay on-line, helping to boost productivity and streamline production. However, while sweeping technological changes in the factory or plant is the ideal, in practice, this can take months, if not years, to fully implement, and may