Keynote: the evolution of advanced automation
The Fluid Power Technology Conference returns to MSOE’s Kern Center May 13-15.
Tuesday, May 15
Registration opens at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. This day’s agenda includes:
8:00-9:00 – Optional tours of MSOE’s Grohmann Museum and Fluid Power Institute Lab / Rapid Prototyping Center. Registration is required. 9:00-10:00 — Opening Keynote: Robotics solutions for small-to-medium manufacturers, by Dan Kara, VP Robotics at WTWH Media. A large percentage of small-to-medium manufacturers have missed out on many of the benefits of robotic industrial automation such as increased productivity, improved quality and enhanced competitiveness. Rapid change, however, is underway. Both traditional industrial robotics companies, as well as a number of new vendors, are providing products and services specifically designed to satisfy the requirements and support the culture of the sizable and underserved small-to-medium manufacturer market. In this session, attendees will learn about these new products and services. Real world case studies will be presented to illustrate salient points.
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The growth in plant floor automation and integrated communications is at a pivotal junction; new technology is available and adoption is underway, said Donna Ritson, President of DDR Communications, regarding her keynote Dona presentation at this Ritson year’s FPTC. With a deeper focus on pneumatics and best practices in industrial manufacturing this year, the FPTC welcomes Ritson, who will open day two of the conference at 8:30 a.m. Her presentation, “The evolution of advanced automation” will higlight the advancements in automation and the influence of technological breakthroughs that are impacting the industry for years to come. The presentation will review the role of pneumatics in automation, the reasons driving embedded intelligence, and the growth of smart machines on the plant floor. “It’s not a matter of if CPG companies will adopt automation, but a matter of when,” said Ritson. “The Evolution of Advanced Automation presentation reports that most CPGs are automating in order to achieve greater operational efficiencies for their plants and remain competitive in the marketplace.” Ritson has indicated that some companies are further along in automating their operations than others. Findings in the report indicate that only 1 in 5 companies have fully integrated production lines. “Look at it as a marathon,” she said. “The companies that are going to get to fully industry 4.0 automation are your leaders in the industry. And everyone else is going to be spread out across the path. Everyone has crossed the starting line, and they understand that they’re in the race and need to keep going . . . most CPG companies are in the process and on the path to automation.” Ritson will cover these six trends driving plant floor automation: • • • • • •
Lack of skilled labor, labor shortages Global increase in product demand Rising demand for flexible manufacturing Producing products with consistent quality Overall operating cost reductions Smart machine technology and robotics
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