Automation blog
Cobot and flexible production - Future-proofing SMEs?
2020. március 17. Many countries in Europe, such as the UK and Germany are likely to experience serious labour shortages over the coming decade, especially in relation to technical specialists. At the same time, product lifecycles are becoming shorter. Despite this, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) might be reluctant to invest in additional automation. However, collaborative robots (cobots) are easy to set up and offer a quick and cost-effective solution. They can increase the flexibility, quality and speed of production and enable companies to respond rapidly to changing market conditions. Omron’s TM series of cobots are a good example of this versatility.
ŠKODA AUTO uses LD mobile robot at Vrchlabí plant
2020. március 17. The autonomous robot contributes to the continuous improvement of work safety in Vrchlabí and helps to minimise work risks. It recognises people crossing its path as well as other vehicles and stationary obstacles.
The factory of the future: people and machines working together in harmony
2020. január 20. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the efficiency of industrial production, through stronger interactions between man and machine that can boost productivity. A new, promising model for ‘factory harmony’ is based on intelligent, integrated and interactive design for tomorrow's manufacturing processes.
Six challenges for brand protection
2019. november 19. Brand protection is an important topic for any business. But as industrial companies invest in new technology, such as smart robotics, artificial intelligence and vision systems, are they aware of the key challenges that could affect their brand?
Three pillars of successful cobot deployment: security, quality and flexibility from a single source
2019. november 4. 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?
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 16. 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.
Agilis és találékony: testreszabott mobil robottechnika forradalmasítja
2019. október 10. Az egyik legnagyobb német autóipari vállalat hatékonyságát és az anyagmozgatás területén betöltött innovációs vezető szerepét az Omron LD mobil robotjaival és a cts GmbH szállítószalag-tartozékával optimalizálja.A gépjárműgyártás és a szerelősorgyártás mindig szorosan kapcsolódott egymáshoz. Az autók azonban tömeggyártási termékként csak azután vették át uralmukat a világ fölött, hogy Henry Ford 1913-ban szállítószalagokat kezdett használni a gyáraiban. Mára a BMW-nél elképzelhetetlen, hogy egy gyári munkanap szerelősorok használata nélkül teljen el. A vállalat hatékonysága és rugalmassága érdekében innovatív szállítási és logisztikai megoldásokat alkalmaz, hogy a munkafolyamatokat jobban egymáshoz kapcsolja, és levegye az alkalmazottak válláról a monoton és időpazarló feladatok terhét. Ezek a koncepciók az anyagszállításhoz az Omron LD mobil robotjait használják, amelyek kifejezetten magas megtérülésről (ROI) gondoskodnak. Az önálló mobil robotok szállítótoronnyal vannak felszerelve, amely a cts GmbH rendszerintegrátor által kifejlesztett állítható magasságú árukezelő eszköz. Az alkalmazottak és a szállítórobotok közötti interakció a BMW-nél kiválóan mutatja, a jövőben hogyan valósítható meg az egyensúly a gyárakban.
Smart machines: laying the golden egg?
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 16. 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
2019. szeptember 16. 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
2019. szeptember 16. 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’.
Cobot and flexible production - Future-proofing SMEs?
2020. március 17. Many countries in Europe, such as the UK and Germany are likely to experience serious labour shortages over the coming decade, especially in relation to technical specialists. At the same time, product lifecycles are becoming shorter. Despite this, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) might be reluctant to invest in additional automation. However, collaborative robots (cobots) are easy to set up and offer a quick and cost-effective solution. They can increase the flexibility, quality and speed of production and enable companies to respond rapidly to changing market conditions. Omron’s TM series of cobots are a good example of this versatility.
ŠKODA AUTO uses LD mobile robot at Vrchlabí plant
2020. március 17. The autonomous robot contributes to the continuous improvement of work safety in Vrchlabí and helps to minimise work risks. It recognises people crossing its path as well as other vehicles and stationary obstacles.
The factory of the future: people and machines working together in harmony
2020. január 20. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the efficiency of industrial production, through stronger interactions between man and machine that can boost productivity. A new, promising model for ‘factory harmony’ is based on intelligent, integrated and interactive design for tomorrow's manufacturing processes.
Three pillars of successful cobot deployment: security, quality and flexibility from a single source
2019. november 4. 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
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 16. 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.
Agilis és találékony: testreszabott mobil robottechnika forradalmasítja
2019. október 10. Az egyik legnagyobb német autóipari vállalat hatékonyságát és az anyagmozgatás területén betöltött innovációs vezető szerepét az Omron LD mobil robotjaival és a cts GmbH szállítószalag-tartozékával optimalizálja.A gépjárműgyártás és a szerelősorgyártás mindig szorosan kapcsolódott egymáshoz. Az autók azonban tömeggyártási termékként csak azután vették át uralmukat a világ fölött, hogy Henry Ford 1913-ban szállítószalagokat kezdett használni a gyáraiban. Mára a BMW-nél elképzelhetetlen, hogy egy gyári munkanap szerelősorok használata nélkül teljen el. A vállalat hatékonysága és rugalmassága érdekében innovatív szállítási és logisztikai megoldásokat alkalmaz, hogy a munkafolyamatokat jobban egymáshoz kapcsolja, és levegye az alkalmazottak válláról a monoton és időpazarló feladatok terhét. Ezek a koncepciók az anyagszállításhoz az Omron LD mobil robotjait használják, amelyek kifejezetten magas megtérülésről (ROI) gondoskodnak. Az önálló mobil robotok szállítótoronnyal vannak felszerelve, amely a cts GmbH rendszerintegrátor által kifejlesztett állítható magasságú árukezelő eszköz. Az alkalmazottak és a szállítórobotok közötti interakció a BMW-nél kiválóan mutatja, a jövőben hogyan valósítható meg az egyensúly a gyárakban.
The power of collaboration between machines, people and teams
2019. október 1. 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’
2019. szeptember 26. 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
2019. szeptember 19. 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
2019. szeptember 16. 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?
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 1. 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?
2019. szeptember 26. 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?
2019. szeptember 19. 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?
2019. szeptember 17. 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.
Six challenges for brand protection
2019. november 19. Brand protection is an important topic for any business. But as industrial companies invest in new technology, such as smart robotics, artificial intelligence and vision systems, are they aware of the key challenges that could affect their brand?
Legacy of machine vision
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 16. 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?
2019. október 2. 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
2019. október 2. 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?
2019. szeptember 12. 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
2019. október 16. 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
2019. október 2. 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
2019. október 1. 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.
Minimum complexity, Maximum yield
2019. július 8. Omron's leading position in packaging automation in the Food & Beverage industry is based on smart and simple solutions that result in solid success. A concept that we dubbed Perfect Packaging. Omron's Perfect Packaging approach structurally eliminates risks and boosts production even in tough situations when high throughput is required. But also optimises your filling. Minimising under- or overfill.
At Omron we serve to protect Package Integrity!
2019. július 8. Protecting a product is the main purpose of any package. Food packaging that is not closed completely airtight can cause a whole range of problems resulting in huge expenses and problematic long-term consequences for manufacturers. Loss of nutrients and aroma to premature spoilage are the least problematic relative to the costly aftermath that easily comes around the corner when consumer health is at stake and recalls enter the media.
Perfect Packaging, ordinary packaging executed extraordinary well
2019. július 8. Packaging processes rarely harbour extremely surprising variables. From manufacturers to system integrators, machine builders and industrial automation providers, we all know the essentials that make packaging production a definite success. However, the everyday reality on the factory floor is that small imperfections in the process result in major output disturbances. That is why Omron introduces its Perfect Packaging concept featuring smart innovations that ensure that ordinary F&B-packaging is executed extraordinary well. We help make your bottom-line top!
Go with the Adaptive and Dynamic production flow!
2019. május 6. Flexible and fast responses to changes in market dynamics improve performance. Made-for-me production flows are the future of manufacturing coherent with Industry 4.0. A reality that Omron already provides today through its cutting edge iAutomation approach. Turning factory floor data into highly valuable information, we realize intelligent automation solutions for manufacturers around the globe.
Smart sensing for multiple materials!
2019. május 6. You know the routine. Switching from one product to another on your production line means a costly full stop, making all kinds of changes, starting up again, discarding the materials and packaging already fed into the line together with start-up rejects, and only then can production resume. Well, have we got good news for you: smart sensing for multiple materials!
Rock solid results with flexible production & robotics!
2019. május 6. Today's market requires an increasingly agile production environment. Traditional industrial automation and robots are often too inflexible to successfully accomplish mass customization. Omron is enabling smart Industry 4.0 scenarios with a rare combination of intelligent automation solutions and robotics. Perfecting seamless human-robot collaboration and making more and more use of AI-driven possibilities, we assist manufacturers in realizing rock solid results with flexible production and robotics.
Direct link IT & OT puts factories on cloud nine
2019. február 25. Just imagine getting rid of cumbersome middleware or PC data concentrators at your production locations and being able to enjoy the benefits of direct database connectivity. Where Information Technology (IT) & Operational Technology (OT) come together something beautiful happens. We have created a production environment in which databases and machine controllers are best friends and keep in touch continuously.
Don't let vibrations catch you off balance!
2019. február 25. Machine operators are aware that sudden increases in vibrations or noise variations can herald a serious shake-up on their production lines. Unfortunately, it is hard for humans to quickly notice the indicators of, for instance, out-of-balance mechanics. The human touch is no match for dedicated sensors combined with high-speed Analogue Input Units that can reliably, precisely, and easily acquire synchronized data.
Expect the unexpected: Prepare, Prevent & Predict
2019. február 25. Sudden stops on a production line can cost a fortune. Avoiding unexpected stops and reducing scheduled downtime are key components to boost OEE. It sounds simple, but requires interpretation of the right, often complex, data. Artificial intelligence can optionally be deployed to interpret the collected relevant device and machine data real-time. Our solutions assist you to actively steer your operations to optimize the schedule for maintenance activities, and minimize maintenance and support costs.
ŠKODA AUTO uses LD mobile robot at Vrchlabí plant
2020. március 17. The autonomous robot contributes to the continuous improvement of work safety in Vrchlabí and helps to minimise work risks. It recognises people crossing its path as well as other vehicles and stationary obstacles.
Agilis és találékony: testreszabott mobil robottechnika forradalmasítja
2019. október 10. Az egyik legnagyobb német autóipari vállalat hatékonyságát és az anyagmozgatás területén betöltött innovációs vezető szerepét az Omron LD mobil robotjaival és a cts GmbH szállítószalag-tartozékával optimalizálja.A gépjárműgyártás és a szerelősorgyártás mindig szorosan kapcsolódott egymáshoz. Az autók azonban tömeggyártási termékként csak azután vették át uralmukat a világ fölött, hogy Henry Ford 1913-ban szállítószalagokat kezdett használni a gyáraiban. Mára a BMW-nél elképzelhetetlen, hogy egy gyári munkanap szerelősorok használata nélkül teljen el. A vállalat hatékonysága és rugalmassága érdekében innovatív szállítási és logisztikai megoldásokat alkalmaz, hogy a munkafolyamatokat jobban egymáshoz kapcsolja, és levegye az alkalmazottak válláról a monoton és időpazarló feladatok terhét. Ezek a koncepciók az anyagszállításhoz az Omron LD mobil robotjait használják, amelyek kifejezetten magas megtérülésről (ROI) gondoskodnak. Az önálló mobil robotok szállítótoronnyal vannak felszerelve, amely a cts GmbH rendszerintegrátor által kifejlesztett állítható magasságú árukezelő eszköz. Az alkalmazottak és a szállítórobotok közötti interakció a BMW-nél kiválóan mutatja, a jövőben hogyan valósítható meg az egyensúly a gyárakban.
Mobile robots speed production at new ‘smart factory’
2019. szeptember 26. 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.