Automation blog
Three pillars of successful cobot deployment: security, quality and flexibility from a single source
04. listopad 2019 The use of collaborative robots is expected to increase rapidly in the next years to meet the needs of flexible production lines. To ensure that manufacturing layouts can be easily adapted to changing customer requirements, we recommend teaming up mobile robots and cobots. In addition, companies must consider integrated software apps and vision technology, as well as ensure support and risk assessment.
Smart machines: laying the golden egg?
16. říjen 2019 Greater manufacturing efficiency: it’s the golden egg we’re all looking for. But it’s getting increasingly hard to find. The solution could be smarter automation, which involves lots and lots of data (‘big data’) and data collection and data-driven modelling. The smart machine then uses the models to automatically adjust its own behaviour (i.e. machine learning).
Legacy of machine vision
16. říjen 2019 Did you know that for more than 40 years, Omron has developed vision sensing technologies for factory automation, surveillance and transport systems, and more recently for facial recognition and image processing for mobile phones, and even driver monitoring for autonomous driving?
Improve OEE with Artificial Intelligence at the Edge in Food Manufacturing
16. říjen 2019 Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in food manufacturing is picking up speed. Many F&B companies are realizing that AI presents an opportunity to increase not only the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) – and therefore combine reduced costs with increased productivity – but also to improve the analysis of data to support continuous improvement programs such as reducing waste or process operations variability.
Late-stage customization in pharmaceutical manufacturing
16. říjen 2019 As a result of serialization legislation, pharmaceutical manufacturers must now ensure that labels printed at a late stage contain all of the data required for compliance. This includes customizing product labels for certain markets, customers or products by adding variable data to labels or packaging. This avoids the need to stock individual packaging materials for each variant.
Top tips for choosing a mobile robot
16. říjen 2019 In an age of short product lifecycles and an increasing demand for customised solutions, if you’re a manufacturer, you need to be very agile to remain competitive. For instance, you might need to make products down to a lot size of one as simply and cost-efficiently as in mass production; or to change or update your production line at short notice. One key solution is a greater co-operation between people and machinery, leading to improved efficiency and more flexibility in the design of the production line.
Autonomous bin picking with a collaborative mobile robot
16. říjen 2019 Our TM collaborative robot provides a unique solution to easily automate applications such as picking and packing that, traditionally performed by humans, have been challenging to automate. As part of the TM series launch, we also released a mobile-compatible model, which seamlessly integrates into Omron’s LD series autonomous mobile robot. Combined with a 3D vision camera mounted directly onto the collaborative robot, this enables for example e-commerce companies to automate more complex tasks. This includes pick and place of various items onto a tray or container, as well as connecting production processes with the autonomous mobile robots for flexible manufacturing and materials handling.
Flexibilní a chytrá mobilní robotika šitá na míru způsobuje v automobilovém průmyslu
10. říjen 2019 Významná německá skupina z oblasti automobilového průmyslu optimalizuje efektivitu a dosahuje špičkových inovací ve sféře manipulace s materiály. Využívá přitom mobilních robotů Omron řady LD s dopravníkovým nástavcem od cts GmbH.Automobilová výroba a výroba na montážních linkách šly vždycky ruku v ruce. Až v okamžiku, kdy Henry Ford začal v roce 1913 ve svých závodech používat pásové dopravníky, se automobilu podařilo stát se opravdu masovým produktem, který si podmanil celý svět. V současnosti si běžný pracovní den bez montážních linek neumí v továrnách BMW nikdo ani představit. Tato skupina se v rámci úsilí o dosahování efektivity a flexibility opírá o průkopnické přístupy k dopravě a logistice. Tím dochází k lepšímu provázání pracovních procesů a zaměstnanci se nemusí zabývat opakujícími se úkoly, které mají velké časové nároky. A právě do tohoto konceptu skvěle zapadají mobilní roboty Omron LD na přepravu materiálu, které nabízí výjimečnou návratnost investice. Tyto autonomní mobilní roboty jsou vybaveny výškovou nástavbou s dopravníkem, kterou lze při manipulaci s nákladem výškově nastavovat. Nástavbu vyvinul systémový integrátor, společnost cts GmbH. Interakce mezi zaměstnanci a dopravními roboty ve společnosti BMW je skvělým příkladem toho, jak může v továrnách budoucnosti vypadat harmonická spolupráce.
How to secure FMCG supply chains with traceability?
02. říjen 2019 The traceability of food and drink products throughout the production and distribution process can be a complex issue. For example, alcoholic drink producers need systems that enable them to comply with local regulations regarding food traceability, as well as tax legislation.
Barcodes: keeping track of product quality
02. říjen 2019 For many years, barcode technology has proved to be an economical and flexible identification technology. It has continued to develop and as a result, 1D and 2D codes (such as Datamatrix) are now used almost universally. Their versatility have made them a popular choice for streamlining many key supply chain processes, including production, logistics and item traceability.
3 Steps to Optimize Operational Efficiency for the Future of Manufacturing
02. říjen 2019 Operational Excellence is required to maximize capital expenditures. But at the same time manufacturers are challenged to move away from traditional high volume, low mix production runs, to more complex high mix, low volume production with consumer demand linked directly with production. How to optimize operational efficiency to be ready for the future of manufacturing?
The power of collaboration between machines, people and teams
01. říjen 2019 With today’s rapid advances in technology, the manufacturing sector needs to be increasingly agile, ready to adapt to changing demands. Production lines must be more flexible, so that they can cope with shorter production runs, more varied products and tight deadlines. So how can manufacturers address these challenges? The solution lies in more advanced, interconnected and intelligent systems that can be programmed to handle a range of tasks.
Smart machines: laying the golden egg?
16. říjen 2019 Greater manufacturing efficiency: it’s the golden egg we’re all looking for. But it’s getting increasingly hard to find. The solution could be smarter automation, which involves lots and lots of data (‘big data’) and data collection and data-driven modelling. The smart machine then uses the models to automatically adjust its own behaviour (i.e. machine learning).
Improve OEE with Artificial Intelligence at the Edge in Food Manufacturing
16. říjen 2019 Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in food manufacturing is picking up speed. Many F&B companies are realizing that AI presents an opportunity to increase not only the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) – and therefore combine reduced costs with increased productivity – but also to improve the analysis of data to support continuous improvement programs such as reducing waste or process operations variability.
Edge, Fog and Cloud clarified
16. září 2019 What do the terms Edge, Fog and Cloud mean in relation to artificial intelligence in industrial manufacturing? They are actually different layers of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Here is a quick overview on how we at Omron describe these terms in relation to AI, using an analogy with a nervous system.
Artificial Intelligence and the future of manufacturing
16. září 2019 The discussion about ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI) in manufacturing is now gaining momentum. This is mainly due to the availability of greater processing power and increasing volumes of data (the ‘sensorisation’ of the industry). A key factor that will help manufacturers to gain the maximum benefit from these recent advances is the use of adaptive algorithms. This in turn is a major stepping stone towards the development of ‘the factory of the future’.
Three pillars of successful cobot deployment: security, quality and flexibility from a single source
04. listopad 2019 The use of collaborative robots is expected to increase rapidly in the next years to meet the needs of flexible production lines. To ensure that manufacturing layouts can be easily adapted to changing customer requirements, we recommend teaming up mobile robots and cobots. In addition, companies must consider integrated software apps and vision technology, as well as ensure support and risk assessment.
Top tips for choosing a mobile robot
16. říjen 2019 In an age of short product lifecycles and an increasing demand for customised solutions, if you’re a manufacturer, you need to be very agile to remain competitive. For instance, you might need to make products down to a lot size of one as simply and cost-efficiently as in mass production; or to change or update your production line at short notice. One key solution is a greater co-operation between people and machinery, leading to improved efficiency and more flexibility in the design of the production line.
Autonomous bin picking with a collaborative mobile robot
16. říjen 2019 Our TM collaborative robot provides a unique solution to easily automate applications such as picking and packing that, traditionally performed by humans, have been challenging to automate. As part of the TM series launch, we also released a mobile-compatible model, which seamlessly integrates into Omron’s LD series autonomous mobile robot. Combined with a 3D vision camera mounted directly onto the collaborative robot, this enables for example e-commerce companies to automate more complex tasks. This includes pick and place of various items onto a tray or container, as well as connecting production processes with the autonomous mobile robots for flexible manufacturing and materials handling.
Flexibilní a chytrá mobilní robotika šitá na míru způsobuje v automobilovém průmyslu
10. říjen 2019 Významná německá skupina z oblasti automobilového průmyslu optimalizuje efektivitu a dosahuje špičkových inovací ve sféře manipulace s materiály. Využívá přitom mobilních robotů Omron řady LD s dopravníkovým nástavcem od cts GmbH.Automobilová výroba a výroba na montážních linkách šly vždycky ruku v ruce. Až v okamžiku, kdy Henry Ford začal v roce 1913 ve svých závodech používat pásové dopravníky, se automobilu podařilo stát se opravdu masovým produktem, který si podmanil celý svět. V současnosti si běžný pracovní den bez montážních linek neumí v továrnách BMW nikdo ani představit. Tato skupina se v rámci úsilí o dosahování efektivity a flexibility opírá o průkopnické přístupy k dopravě a logistice. Tím dochází k lepšímu provázání pracovních procesů a zaměstnanci se nemusí zabývat opakujícími se úkoly, které mají velké časové nároky. A právě do tohoto konceptu skvěle zapadají mobilní roboty Omron LD na přepravu materiálu, které nabízí výjimečnou návratnost investice. Tyto autonomní mobilní roboty jsou vybaveny výškovou nástavbou s dopravníkem, kterou lze při manipulaci s nákladem výškově nastavovat. Nástavbu vyvinul systémový integrátor, společnost cts GmbH. Interakce mezi zaměstnanci a dopravními roboty ve společnosti BMW je skvělým příkladem toho, jak může v továrnách budoucnosti vypadat harmonická spolupráce.
The power of collaboration between machines, people and teams
01. říjen 2019 With today’s rapid advances in technology, the manufacturing sector needs to be increasingly agile, ready to adapt to changing demands. Production lines must be more flexible, so that they can cope with shorter production runs, more varied products and tight deadlines. So how can manufacturers address these challenges? The solution lies in more advanced, interconnected and intelligent systems that can be programmed to handle a range of tasks.
Mobile robots speed production at new ‘smart factory’
26. září 2019 Showcasing flexible production in real life, a new ‘Smart Factory’ in Norway uses a variety of robots in a system developed and implemented by system integrator Intek Engineering.
The future of flexible production - combining the power of mobile robots and cobots
19. září 2019 Consumer trends are changing and product life cycles are becoming shorter and shorter. As a result, manufacturers increasingly have to accommodate individual customer needs. To remain profitable, they need to have flexible production lines that can cope with rapid product changes, individual modifications and small lot sizes. Collaborative robots can help them to achieve their goals, especially if they can be used in a mobile environment – i.e. combined with mobile robotics.
Collaborative robots: forging a new future
16. září 2019 In today’s ever-changing world, manufacturers are facing increasingly heavy demands. Factories worldwide are having to produce a high mix, low volume of products to meet customer needs, whilst also dealing with shorter product life cycles and shortages of labour. To remain competitive, manufacturers must be sufficiently agile to cope with rapid changes in lines and layouts.
Smart machines: laying the golden egg?
16. říjen 2019 Greater manufacturing efficiency: it’s the golden egg we’re all looking for. But it’s getting increasingly hard to find. The solution could be smarter automation, which involves lots and lots of data (‘big data’) and data collection and data-driven modelling. The smart machine then uses the models to automatically adjust its own behaviour (i.e. machine learning).
A practical illustration of IoT and Industry 4.0
01. říjen 2019 The Internet of Things (IoT) is a relatively new phenomenon. Prof Dr Thomas Pospiech, a teacher of Production and Process Management at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, was interviewed recently about the ‘IoT box’ he’s developed to give his students a practical illustration of this fairly abstract concept.
What is the effect of Brexit on automation in the UK?
26. září 2019 Currently, workers from the EU have the right to travel and work freely across European borders. However, key statistics of net migration from the Office of National Statistics in the UK, show that net migration to the UK has been significantly reduced since 2016. With the announcement of Brexit, and the ensuing uncertainty around it, UK factories are perhaps no longer a viable destination for European workers.
Industry 4.0 - hot topic or hot air?
19. září 2019 Industry 4.0 is defined by Wikipedia as “the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies”. But what does that mean for you and your customers? And it isn’t really a new topic. At Omron, we’ve been working on manufacturing automation and data exchange for years.
How smart is your packaging line?
17. září 2019 Industry 4.0 is changing the way in which manufactured goods are produced, through the use of automation and data exchange. By incorporating it into your packaging line, you can start to enjoy a range of benefits, from better data management to improved efficiency. Moving to a modern, flexible and smart line will bring the most benefits, but replacing a complete production line might not be a viable option if you’re operating with tight margins. However, even small changes to your existing facilities can significantly boost your efficiency.
Legacy of machine vision
16. říjen 2019 Did you know that for more than 40 years, Omron has developed vision sensing technologies for factory automation, surveillance and transport systems, and more recently for facial recognition and image processing for mobile phones, and even driver monitoring for autonomous driving?
Late-stage customization in pharmaceutical manufacturing
16. říjen 2019 As a result of serialization legislation, pharmaceutical manufacturers must now ensure that labels printed at a late stage contain all of the data required for compliance. This includes customizing product labels for certain markets, customers or products by adding variable data to labels or packaging. This avoids the need to stock individual packaging materials for each variant.
How to secure FMCG supply chains with traceability?
02. říjen 2019 The traceability of food and drink products throughout the production and distribution process can be a complex issue. For example, alcoholic drink producers need systems that enable them to comply with local regulations regarding food traceability, as well as tax legislation.
Barcodes: keeping track of product quality
02. říjen 2019 For many years, barcode technology has proved to be an economical and flexible identification technology. It has continued to develop and as a result, 1D and 2D codes (such as Datamatrix) are now used almost universally. Their versatility have made them a popular choice for streamlining many key supply chain processes, including production, logistics and item traceability.
Is your production line ready for inspection?
12. září 2019 Quality inspections are a critical requirement for all manufacturing and packaging lines. Being able to identify defective products before they are shipped to customers can bring significant savings in both time and money. It prevents costly product recalls, wasted production and potentially expensive legal costs.For perishable products – from food to pharmaceuticals – quality inspection of the packaging is also vital. An unreadable barcode or a wrong expiry date could lead to perfectly good products being discarded. And increasingly strict legislation is making clear marking a top priority for all types of products.
Improve OEE with Artificial Intelligence at the Edge in Food Manufacturing
16. říjen 2019 Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in food manufacturing is picking up speed. Many F&B companies are realizing that AI presents an opportunity to increase not only the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) – and therefore combine reduced costs with increased productivity – but also to improve the analysis of data to support continuous improvement programs such as reducing waste or process operations variability.
3 Steps to Optimize Operational Efficiency for the Future of Manufacturing
02. říjen 2019 Operational Excellence is required to maximize capital expenditures. But at the same time manufacturers are challenged to move away from traditional high volume, low mix production runs, to more complex high mix, low volume production with consumer demand linked directly with production. How to optimize operational efficiency to be ready for the future of manufacturing?
The power of collaboration between machines, people and teams
01. říjen 2019 With today’s rapid advances in technology, the manufacturing sector needs to be increasingly agile, ready to adapt to changing demands. Production lines must be more flexible, so that they can cope with shorter production runs, more varied products and tight deadlines. So how can manufacturers address these challenges? The solution lies in more advanced, interconnected and intelligent systems that can be programmed to handle a range of tasks.
Flexibilní a chytrá mobilní robotika šitá na míru způsobuje v automobilovém průmyslu
10. říjen 2019 Významná německá skupina z oblasti automobilového průmyslu optimalizuje efektivitu a dosahuje špičkových inovací ve sféře manipulace s materiály. Využívá přitom mobilních robotů Omron řady LD s dopravníkovým nástavcem od cts GmbH.Automobilová výroba a výroba na montážních linkách šly vždycky ruku v ruce. Až v okamžiku, kdy Henry Ford začal v roce 1913 ve svých závodech používat pásové dopravníky, se automobilu podařilo stát se opravdu masovým produktem, který si podmanil celý svět. V současnosti si běžný pracovní den bez montážních linek neumí v továrnách BMW nikdo ani představit. Tato skupina se v rámci úsilí o dosahování efektivity a flexibility opírá o průkopnické přístupy k dopravě a logistice. Tím dochází k lepšímu provázání pracovních procesů a zaměstnanci se nemusí zabývat opakujícími se úkoly, které mají velké časové nároky. A právě do tohoto konceptu skvěle zapadají mobilní roboty Omron LD na přepravu materiálu, které nabízí výjimečnou návratnost investice. Tyto autonomní mobilní roboty jsou vybaveny výškovou nástavbou s dopravníkem, kterou lze při manipulaci s nákladem výškově nastavovat. Nástavbu vyvinul systémový integrátor, společnost cts GmbH. Interakce mezi zaměstnanci a dopravními roboty ve společnosti BMW je skvělým příkladem toho, jak může v továrnách budoucnosti vypadat harmonická spolupráce.
Mobile robots speed production at new ‘smart factory’
26. září 2019 Showcasing flexible production in real life, a new ‘Smart Factory’ in Norway uses a variety of robots in a system developed and implemented by system integrator Intek Engineering.