Automation delivers effective process control

Automation are clearly a major part of our future, but we are more used to seeing them caged on the factory floor. Now, they are finding their way among the operators and working with them to augment their performance.

For Renishaw, METALEX 2017 exhibition is very much about presenting automation ideas. Steve Bell, Renishaw General Manager-ASEAN, said, “The cell we have in the front booth has an YSM automation machine tool and our own Equator gauging system all integrated. The idea what we are trying to show there is the cost effective way of streamlining manufacturing to reduce scrap and speed everything up. What’s interesting about it is that it’s completely close-up loop so that means is that when a machine tool finishes cutting a part, the Equator gauging system takes the data from inspecting the part so by the time the machine tool is cutting the next part the Equator is already updating the offsets of the machine tool. It’s kind of self-correcting itself. Rather than waiting.”

Within South East Asia, METALEX is the biggest show, so that is the biggest attraction. Clearly for any manufacturing company coming to an exhibition is quite costly, so there has to be some return. For us, METALEX is a big show and has a lot of visitors. It is a showcase for us to show some of the things we’re doing. Particularly this whole automation idea, is a good place for us. Automotive is big here, die & mould manufacturing is quiet big too, it’s a good place to show that kind of solution. It’s all about trying to get as much customers as we can.

“We have been coming to the show for many years and we are very familiar with it. The real challenge is about presenting the right solution at the right time. Sometimes the market is not ready for some products. We showed this automation solution four years ago and frankly at that time it may probably be just a concept to others but now it’s no longer just an idea. We actually have customers who are using it now.”

Learn more about Renishaw’s manufacturing automation for effective process control.