Editor’s choice


Why industrial components are becoming obsolete faster than before


In the era of rapid developments in technologies, newer components or technologies are launched every day. On one hand, technological innovation boosts productivity and efficiency in many sectors, on the other hand it causes more hardware and software becoming obsolete faster than in the past. Here Neil Ballinger, head of EMEA at industrial parts supplier EU Automation, discusses the pros and cons of fast technological advances.


hands in the classic movie Modern Times, an iconic moment in the cinematic representation of manufacturing. Luckily, non-stop technological progress has created new opportunities for manufacturers to reimagine their business operations, with efficient automation solutions that maximise productivity while preserving employees’ wellbeing. Today, we can see highly automated industrial


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robots carrying out complicated tasks with high precision and speed in assembly lines. As companies try to improve their operations and production efficiency, the transition to Industry 4.0 solutions, including IoT-connected devices, advanced analytics, sensors, intelligent business process automation and advanced manufacturing technologies, is accelerating greatly. Take the aerospace manufacturing sector as


an example. In this sector, regular washing is vital for reducing corrosion and improving the life and safety of the aircraft. However, the conventional method of manual washing, which involves using sponges, brooms, rages and ladders, is dangerous and labour-intensive. It generally takes a team of


8 September 2021 Instrumentation Monthly


n 1936, Charlie Chaplin tried to keep up with an assembly line with his arm frantically flailing as he twisted wrenches with both


four workers four hours to wash a plane manually and wet and slippery ladders may lead to injuries. To address this problem, the Canadian industrial robots programming company RoboDK and automation technology supplier Wilder Systems developed a drive-through washing system, enabling companies to automate the entire washing cycle - now, it only takes 52 minutes to complete a wash. The washing system is only a glimpse of cutting- edged automation technologies. Nowadays,


companies in other sectors are also digitalising or automating monotonous tasks to make production more efficient and cost-effective.


FAstEr AdvANcEs, EArlIEr OBsOlEscENcE Due to constant product updates as well as components being created with a shorter lifespan, electronic components are now becoming obsolete faster than ever before. Take semiconductors as an example. In the


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