News Industry Maintec reveals The Exchange for 2014
MAINTEC 2014 WILL feature a programme of spe- cial seminars called The Exchange when the show returns to the NEC in Birmingham on 11th-13th March 2014.
The Exchange will feature 21 free practical talks packed full of advice, new innovations and case studies for maintenance professionals, engineers, plant and asset managers to learn from. Among the companies presenting at The Exchange will be Fluke UK, C-Cubed, Score Logistics, AESSEAL, Schaeffler UK, James Walker, Reliability Maintenance Solutions and Reliable Manufacturing. In addition to The Exchange, Maintec will feature a full exhibition packed with major names, plus the Business Strategy Forum where experts from some of the biggest names in industry will debate the critical maintenance topics of the day. Providing yet more
content for visitors, Maintec is also co-located with two other highly relevant events - the brand new Facilities Management and the Health & Safety Event. For more information on the presentations being made at The Exchange visit
www.connectingindus-
try.com/theexchange.
www.easyfairs.com
Robot population boom set to continue
BARRY WELLER, A robot and automation specialist with Mitsubishi Electric claims that the boom in UK robot installa- tions is predicted to continue. “Mitsubishi sales are twice what
they were this time last year and our forward orders are similarly high,” he said. “This reflects what the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) is reporting - that sales of robots in the UK during the second quarter of 2013 were more than double those in the first quarter and almost as large as sales for the whole of 2011.” For Weller a deeper analysis shows up some significant trends. For instance there has been increasing interest in systems that integrate robots with other automa- tion technologies such as PLCs and HMIs, while the food manufactur- ing industry has become one of the fastest adopters. Weller added, “Food producers used to be reluctant to automate
because their supply contracts were often short term. However, now they understand that robots are flex- ible so are easily reprogrammed for new duties, and that their delicacy of touch and ability to run unat- tended for long periods are ideal for many tasks in a food factory. “Potential users are always keen to know about the payback period, and most are surprised at how quick this can be. The UK manufacturing industry is doing well and investing for a future. It is notable that we have a fairly low robot population compared to other industrialised nations, but we are making up the gap and focusing on improving global competitiveness.”
www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk
CLPA appoints first European member to Managing Board
BALLUFF HAS BECOME the first European com- pany to join the Managing Board of the CLPA (CC- Link Partner Association) and will help steer the organisation in its plans for growth and development. Balluff is pursuing a long term strategy of adding
value to its sensor products through connectivity and systems integration and joined the CLPA in 2008, partly to aid its development in China and other Asian markets. The company was also an early supporter of the CLPA’s ‘Gateway to China’ (G2C) programme, that helps European companies to increase their business in China and the rest of Asia by using CC-Link as an enabling technology. CC-Link enables devices from numerous manufac-
turers to communicate, resulting in a fast, determinis- tic control system. It is managed by the CLPA, the organisation of manufacturers and users of CC-Link technology, academics and other interested parties. Balluff’s Jürgen Gutekunst (pictured here, left, with
CLPA general manager John Browett) described his vision for the future of the CLPA, “Being invited onto the CLPA Managing Board is an opportunity that doesn’t present itself every day. In this position we
Automation JANUARY 2014
can actively help to shape the future of both the CLPA and the development of automation.” Browett himself added, “We are very pleased that Balluff has joined the board of the CLPA. This is a sub- stantial commitment that is not to be taken lightly. For a leading global business like Balluff to take this step is further evidence of how CC-Link is strengthening its position in Europe and around the world.”
www.the-non-stop-open-network.com
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