FEAT RE FEA ATURE


INDUSTRY VOICESTRY VOIC E


AUTOMAT REV TA


REVITALISING CONFI ENCE I UK MA on Keogh gener


increases productivity. The ke however, is the information p


rovided on y element,


production facilities – information that can be used to not only increase plant uptime, but to boost overall efficiencies. Education about the benefits of this technology, as well as further information on its accessibility will therefore be key to ensuring a productivity boost.


To ensure maximum productivity S


uccessive productivity drops in the UK & Irelandmanufacturing sector in


recent quarters have now given way to an 0.6 per cent rise in Q2 2016, according to new figures fromthe Office for National Statistics (ONS). This historic lack of productivity is in part due to the UK&I holding back on investment in new technologies, instead sweating industrial assets – occasionally to the point of failure. While the UK&I has indeed


, ,


experienced a boost, overall productivity is significantly behind other G7 countries - Germany is noted as 45 per cent more productive, with the USA and France at 30 per cent and 27 per cent respectively. An additional £1.2bn investment in robotics and automation technology ha s been predicted to provide as much as £60.5bn to the UK economy over the next ten years. The potential gains in this area are significant, with investment here providing some of the highest returns in the industry. The three key challenges currently holding businesses back from investing in an automation strategy are knowledge, skills and the ability to support it. Many manufacturers simply do not have a detailed enough


combination of these thr ee elements t o implement such a strategy.


IMPROVINGIMPROVING PRODUC IVITY THROUGH A HOLISTIC AUTOMAT STRATSTRATE


PRODUCTIVITY


HROUGH TEGY


HOLIS IC AU OMA IONATION


Automation delivers repeatability, improves quality, reduces waste and


6 DECEMBER/JANUAR 201 ANUARY 2017 | AU AUTOMA MAT ATION


Smon Keogh, general Simon Keogh, generali manage at Siemens actory Automation and oducts


benefits, businesses must implement a n automation strategy covering every stage of the supply chain and manufacturing process. Data needs to be transmitted for intelligent and informed decisions to be made. The starting point of an automation strategy is to ensure


manager at Siemensr Factory Automation and Con rol PrroductsControl Pt


assessment of the production and data flow across an organisation, from raw materials to finished goods. Equally, it is


EVITALISING CONFIDENCE IN UK M NUFA Si


ATION TECHNOL OG Y MANUFACTURI


Factory Autom tion and Control Products discusses why automation technology can help increase manufacturing productivity


Simon Keogh, general manager at Siemens Factory Automation and Control Products, discusses why aut increase m


nager at Siemens at on technol gy can hel facturing productivity


separate challenge. With the goal of collecting data fromeach organisation and machine throughout a supply chain, from manufacturing equipment to fleets, in the same uniformway, a business can develop an overarching strategy. For it to succeed, the process must be tailored to the organisation, be and permit the data


where consulting with a third party expert, such as one of Siemens’ Approve d


relevant and holistic Partners, can be use


is put into place.


A PAR NERSHIP APPRO CH BUSINESS OPTIMISATION


ARTNERSHIP APPROACH TO BUSINESS OP IMISATION


The stumbling blocks that impede


automation technology uptake can easily be overcome by accessing specialised


essential to have a vertical flow of data – industry knowledge found in local from shop floor to boardroom. In short, it is crucial to ensure that the righ t


information is present at the right level within an organisation.


A key example of this is monitoring motor bearings or critical areas of plants, specifically assessing temperature, vibrations, and observing fluctuations during the production process. This allows manufacturers to identify any indications of faults or errors, therefore data can ictiv e


then be utilised to allow pre d forecasting failure rates. This


maintenance, decreasing the amount of unexpected downtime by preventin g unexpected breakdowns .


SUPPOR ING HE DELIVER OF AN AUTOMA ION


SUPPORTING THE DELIVERY OF AN AU OMAT


ATION STRATEGATEGY


An element that must be con production data – the ability


to assess sidered is


requirements and wastage at each


particular point of the supply chain. This specifically looks at how a product can be produced in a different manner to reduce wastage and increase efficiencies. This strategy must be aligned with the complete supply chain.


An automation strategy within an organisation is an attainable goal. Communicating that technological shift within the supply chain, however, is a


industry experts. Siemens recently introduced its Partner 2020 programme in order to allow manufacturers access to its extensive network of solution partners and distributors. Through the partner network we work with specialists that supplement our own sector knowledge and capabilities, assisting manufacturers across all verticals to deliver the automation strategy they need – whether at plant-level or for a highly specific requirement Delivering steel to


a car plant, fo r .


example, is a vastly different process to delivering fresh food. Utilising the right solution for the right job is hugely important, and it’s one that only comes from extensive experience. Authorised distribution networks are a key part of this; they’re highly trained and are certified in their knowledge of the


technology. They may be less industry or application focussed, but have an in- depth knowledge of the technology. The ability to support manufacturers throug h this process is aided by partners working and forming ongoing partnerships with these organisations, aiding the whole supply chain.


Siemens Factory Automation www.siemens.co.uk/partner-finder ww siemens.co.uk/partner-finder /AUTOMATION AT /AUTOMATION


automation strateg y ful to ensure a


FAC TURIN G


to flow. This is often all-encompassing


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