UNLOCKING INDUSTRY 4.0’S BENEFITS COULD PAY DIVIDENDS FOR MANUFACTURERS by Stephen Dyson, head of industry 4.0 at Protolabs


Indeed, according to our survey, only one in ten


Industry 4.0, the term popularly used to describe the growing use of web-connected industrial processes, robotics, software and advanced automation for greater productivity, quality and efficiency, is revolutionising the factory floor. According to a government-commissioned


review from 2017, unlocking the value associated with Industry 4.0 could pay dividends for the UK manufacturing industry, delivering up to £455 billion in additional revenue and a net gain of around 175,000 well paid, highly-skilled, jobs over the next ten years. In contrast, however, our own recent survey


revealed that a large proportion of senior decision- makers across a range of businesses – including manufacturers – neither acknowledge the role that digitalisation now plays in manufacturing, nor recognise the potential benefits offered by digital technology and automation.


businesses actually see any association between Industry 4.0 and manufacturing, with one in five suggesting that the industry is not prepared for what’s involved in this new, digital transformation. While many manufacturers now employ cutting


edge technologies such as metal 3D printing, rapid injection moulding and CNC machining to meet customer demand for rapid turnaround of high- quality production-ready parts, around a quarter of senior business decision-makers claimed to still associate the sector with legacy terms such as ‘assembly lines’ and ‘manual labour’. And while we see a growing number of articles


discussing the benefits and challenges of robotics within the industry, a quarter of respondents to our survey said they’d expect to see little or no increase in the use of automation within their own manufacturing businesses over the next five years. This in itself is concerning, given the potential cost- and time-savings they could be missing out


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ROXTEC SEALS CHOSEN FOR POLAR RESEARCH VESSEL


Roxtec has supplied a range of specialist safety seals for Britain’s new £200m polar research vessel, the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Specialist seals will be installed in key areas including the engine room, power generators and external lighting. They will provide protection from hazards such as fire, water, gas, vibrations, electro-magnetic disturbances, etc. www.roxtec.com


When TRUMPF UK held its Open House in Luton in June, over 200 visitors attended, getting the chance to see the company’s machines and speak to technical experts from around the world. At the press day that followed, I had


the opportunity to not only see some of the impressive machinery in action, but to hear views on Industry 4.0, and find out how the company can help to provide ideas and solutions for its customers. With a growing order book, it’s no wonder the company is looking to the future with confidence. Another event I attended recently took place at the MTC in Coventry


– the Siemens PLM UK Automotive Symposium. Sitting in on the Lightweight Engineering sessions, I heard a variety of interesting presentations. Featuring speakers from the company and also case studies from users of the software, including Renault F1, it was interesting to see how Siemens PLM can help meet the goal for lighter designs in the automotive industry.


Rachael Morling - Editor


3M BIC UNVEILS METAL 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES


The 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC) in Huddersfield has unveiled its new advanced technologies, including AM or 3D printing, imaging and microscopy. These will enable businesses to evaluate additive manufacturing and print in metals such as titanium and stainless steel, as well as check for inaccuracies. For this, Renishaw has supplied


its RenAM 400 and RenAM 500M SLM systems. These will complement the centre’s 3D printing technologies. As part of the product development and verification process, businesses can also access technologies in its Zeiss Imaging Suite. Michael Wilson, 3M BIC centre


manager and HIIP director, said: “We can now offer the whole package, from prototyping in plastics and metals to correcting stress fractures or imperfections in products. Businesses will be able to ensure their new products are cutting edge and safe before they embark on large scale production.” www.3mbic.com


TTI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has acquired Compona of Switzerland and the company’s German subsidiary, Cosy Electronics. Both are specialty distributors of interconnect products and provide services such as in-house assembly of specific connector ranges and full support on custom cable harnesses. www.ttiinc.com


Cox Powertrain has signed a lease to take over a 28,000sq ft production facility which it will use to assemble the CXO300 diesel engine. CEO, Tim Routsis, said: “We’ve been


working out of Shoreham-on-sea since 2007 and the prospect of having our assembly line working alongside our engineers gives us the agility we need to deliver this game-changing technology.” www.coxmarine.com


Motors and a VSD have been supplied by ABB for a revolutionary anti- personnel landmine clearance rig. The machine was donated to The HALO Trust charity at Hillhead 2018. The rig is destined for deployment


in Zimbabwe, which remains one of the world’s most highly mine- impacted countries. www.abb.com


on, not to mention how this short-sightedness could actually hinder the UK’s ability to compete in a fast-moving global market. Despite all this, though, around half of respondents believe that greater investment in R&D will help the UK maintain its position in the global manufacturing market, and a third believe that, by focusing on attracting more graduates in STEM subjects, the industry will be better able to develop fresh talent and bolster its growth. Industry 4.0 is happening now, and is


transforming the face of manufacturing as we know it. While manufacturing may still be perceived as largely labour-intensive manual work, it is, in fact, an increasingly high-tech, digitally- enabled industry, capable of making a positive contribution to the wider UK economy. Rather than shying away from it, therefore, businesses should be embracing it, and the benefits that digital technology and automation represent. www.protolabs.co.uk


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