Automation blog
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Where is the future heading, intralogistics? Tips for more efficiency
15 November, 2022 Sometimes we focus so much on the big picture that we forget the smaller and yet so important processes that characterize smart production. One example is intralogistics, i.e. the flows of materials and goods that take place on a company's premises or in a production hall. A recent study found that more than 80 percent of the companies surveyed consider the increased use of AI and automation in intralogistics to be necessary to meet challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers or growth plans.Automotive companies that want to meet market and customer requirements, increase efficiency and become more sustainable must come up with new ideas. Energy costs, the gas crisis, and rising inflation make this task even more difficult. Smart factory concepts that combine innovative automation, digitalization, and smart intralogistics approaches can provide valuable support. Some speak of Industry 4.0 in this context, others of the “factory of the future”, still others prefer Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). But no matter which term you favor: The most important thing is to become active now and to rely on reliable partners. Intralogistics is a good starting point for quickly initiating change. Because action is urgently needed: many companies are currently severely limited due to the shortage of skilled workers. Modern technologies such as mobile robots can provide a remedy.![dassault vaf fuel cell stacking c bboard en sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/dassault_vaf_fuel_cell_stacking_c_bboard_en_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Digitalization in the automotive industry: Seven tips for smart production
02 November, 2022 If you want to grow and master crises, you have to be digitally fit – this also applies to the important automotive sector. There is no way around digital tools for addressing customers or productivity. Artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability are key drivers and focus topics, as a study by Capgemini shows. Experts from Gartner point out the importance of open-source collaboration approaches, holistic ecosystems, and technology partnerships. But what should we look out for in digitalization and intralogistics in the production of the future? We want to answer this question in two parts. We start with tips on digitization in the smart factory. As an automation expert, OMRON has been accompanying manufacturers and suppliers on their way to more digitalization sophistication for many years.![adaptive inspection bottles bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/adaptive_inspection_bottles_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
How can adaptive AI inspection contribute to flexible manufacturing?
04 October, 2022 Consumers today demand customized products to meet their personal needs and tastes. Instead of producing items that are ‘made to shelve’ and ‘sent to stock’, manufacturers must personalize products that are ‘made for me’ and ‘sent to me’. This is revolutionizing production and forcing companies to rethink their processes. At the same time, ensuring zero complaints and zero defects is a must.The trained eye of an experienced vision inspector is quick to spot errors, but a routine task like this is tiring, and cannot be carried out at each step of the production, especially due to the current labor shortages in many industries. But could this task be automated also in high-mix low-volume production? Could a smart vision system or an ‘electronic eye’ replicate the discernment of the human eye, with the added benefit of repeatability and robustness? The latest AI-enabled adaptive inspection can overcome the challenges of automated quality inspection, with improved flexibility, productivity, and adaptability.![ai article bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/ai_article_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Artificial Intelligence: hope, hype and FOMO
22 September, 2022 Ten years ago when we received enquiries about AI-based projects, they were mainly driven by hype or FOMO. When I asked why they wanted to get into AI, the answer, more often than not, was either ‘because my boss asked me to’, ‘because we have a lot of data’ or ‘because it seems like an interesting area’. None of these were particularly solid reasons and certainly didn’t justify the hefty investment that AI applications would have required at that time.That is changing, and hope, rather than hype or ‘FOMO’, is the driver. Customers don’t ask whether we can help them with AI anymore. They ask us whether we can help with predictive maintenance, quality control or process optimisation. They come to us with a problem that they want us to help solve. The adoption of AI is no longer a motive or an aim in itself. Instead, AI has become an ‘enabler’.Whatever the industry - whether food & drink, pharmaceutical, electronics or automotive - the end goal is the same: producing high quality, defect-free products at a lower cost, using less energy and less labour. And AI can be one of a suite of solutions for achieving those objectives.![sustainability pounch packaging harmony images b bboard en misc](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/sustainability_pounch_packaging_harmony_images_b_bboard_en_misc.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Automation adapts to sustainable packaging
16 August, 2022 Have you ever ordered a small item online, and then felt incensed when it arrived in an oversized box packed out with bubble wrap, air-filled cushions or paper inserts?![flexible manufacturing roadshow barcelona bboard event](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/flexible_manufacturing_roadshow_barcelona_bboard_event.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Flexible Manufacturing Roadshow: Taking the factory of the future across Europe
16 June, 2022 What if you could see, feel and touch the factory of the future? What does it take to realize flexible, efficient, and sustainable production? This is the idea behind OMRON’s unique Flexible Manufacturing Roadshow travelling across Europe this year. The roadshow features exclusive demonstrations of human-machine collaborative solutions not usually seen outside of a factory setting due to their size and scale.![building factory of the future together c billboard peop](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/building_factory_of_the_future_together_c_billboard_peop.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Building the Factory of the Future together
16 June, 2022 As one of the largest business units at OMRON, we aim to further develop the Den Bosch plant to serve the needs in the EMEA region.![automotive bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/automotive_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Traceability in Automotive: What decision-makers and experts should look out for now
23 May, 2022 From e-mobility to autonomous driving, from skills shortages to digitalization: The automotive industry is undergoing a profound change, marked, for example, by a shift to globalized platforms and standardized vehicle architectures. On the one hand, production is becoming increasingly efficient, but on the other, even a single faulty part can have more far-reaching effects than ever before. Faced with costly recalls, automotive manufacturers are confronted with increasingly complex requirements and stricter specifications. Is the effort of traceability worth it if it means labeling up to 20,000 parts per vehicle? Yes, it is, but powerful reading and verification technologies along with powerful software is needed to make sense of all the data.There are several reasons why manufacturers need to keep accurate records of the parts and components that make up a new car. From a quality perspective, for example, barcode tracking helps to ensure that the right parts are put together. Even more important, however, is the ability to trace each car part back to its original supplier. In the event of a recall or the discovery of a faulty part, manufacturers have to be able to quickly and comprehensively find out where each part came from. This is complemented by information such as batch number, date of manufacture and other important information to identify which vehicles are affected by a defective part. Recommendations and standards from AIAG, VDA, ANSI and ISO specify the details. As the automotive industry globalizes, worldwide production of light vehicles is expected to reach around 96 million units by 2023. This means that even a single faulty part can have an enormous impact, and therefore must be prevented at all costs.![omron cobot collaboration bboard prod](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/omron_cobot_collaboration_bboard_prod.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Lights out? Still unlikely with Industry 4.0
21 April, 2022 For many manufacturers, the prospect of a fully automated, human-free factory feels light years away. When, they ask, is the 4th Industrial revolution coming to us and what can we expect? In this blog, we look at the realities of (fully-/semi-)automated manufacturing, what robots can and can’t do, and why the human touch is still (mostly) irreplaceable.![vadain machine-vision-fabric-inspection bboard misc](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/vadain_machine-vision-fabric-inspection_bboard_misc.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Vadain automates the inspection of curtain fabrics with machine vision
08 April, 2022 Vadain, the market leader in custom curtains in the Netherlands, needed a solution to detect errors as early as possible in kilometers of curtain fabrics. Together with software developers from Sycade, OMRON machine vision technology, and machine builder Eisenkolb, they developed an automated solution to detect and analyze errors in curtain fabrics, making the time-consuming manual inspection process a thing of the past.![omron i4 0 series article 3c bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/omron_i4_0_series_article_3c_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Traditional factories have data needs too
18 March, 2022 The right tools and tech can enable advanced predictive maintenance, bottleneck prevention and optimization. Find out how digitalization is bridging the gap between legacy systems and Industry 4.0.![molecule h2 hydrogen bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/molecule_h2_hydrogen_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Fuel for the future: What to look out for in fuel cell production
10 March, 2022 When people talk about sustainable mobility, the first thing that comes to mind is battery-powered e-cars. Fuel cells or direct hydrogen burners are complementary technologies that often fade into the background, yet have a lot to offer when it comes to CO₂ reduction and market options.![topline uvc mobile robot solution a bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/topline_uvc_mobile_robot_solution_a_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
UV-C Robot helps businesses win the fight against Covid
16 June, 2021 As the UK’s customer-facing businesses plan their reopening strategies, keeping consumers and staff safe from Covid will be a key priority. In a bid to prevent future outbreaks at high footfall, everyday environments like supermarkets, bars and gyms, we have teamed up with UV Systems UK to produce an autonomous robotic sterilisation system that guarantees to kill the virus without damage or harm to surrounding goods.![litmat newsletter images a bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/litmat_newsletter_images_a_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Cobot ensures precise assembly of magnets for LITMAT’s drain plugs
03 June, 2021 Collaborative robots (cobots) are being used more and more extensively, in a range of different industries and across a wide variety of applications. They can make a significant difference to the efficiency and productivity of the production cycle. One company that is enjoying such benefits is LITMAT SpA.![ld-250 food delivery b bboard en sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/ld-250_food_delivery_b_bboard_en_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
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Mobile robot transports waste for Kymenlaakso Central Hospital in Finland
07 April, 2021 Waste transportation and logistics planning require a lot of work in hospital environments. Waste shipment is also a physical task that places demands on both time and human resources.![fixed robots production line bboard en sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/fixed_robots_production_line_bboard_en_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Choosing a robot for a smart factory
02 April, 2021 Anyone planning to move towards a smart factory needs to choose carefully when considering possible robotic solutions. Should it be an industrial robot or a collaborative robot (cobot)? Autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology or a fixed selective compliance assembly robot arm (SCARA)? The answer will depend on your specific needs.![elsive with tm cobot newssingle sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/elsive_with_tm_cobot_newssingle_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Cobot Dashboard: How to visualize data for OEE improvement the smart way
16 March, 2021 The factory of the future is not only based on a well-orchestrated interaction of the most diverse machines, robots, sensors, and AI technologies. Entrepreneurs and decision-makers are also increasingly faced with the challenge of reconciling the vast amounts of data collected by the various production lines and making the best possible use of it to support their decisions. Not only does a comprehensive data strategy need to be developed. There are also technologies required that process and present the data in such a way that issues are immediately identified before major problems occur.![zero touch newssingle sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/zero_touch_newssingle_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Automation for zero touch: Improving safety, quality and efficiency in F&B
15 March, 2021 Recent innovations in automation, robotics, image processing and artificial intelligence (AI) can help companies to migrate towards zero touch processes.![finance lease fcard tr sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/finance_lease_fcard_tr_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Affordable automation: Leasing cobots and mobile robots for flexibility on the factory floor
04 March, 2021 In line with the move to Industry 4.0, an increasing number of manufacturers are turning to automation as a way of streamlining processes and boosting productivity. A key aspect of this is the use of robots, often working alongside people in the factory. However, many companies might be reluctant to invest in additional automation, particularly following the economic difficulties presented by COVID-19. For manufacturers looking for an affordable solution, cost structures with leasing options are being implemented as an option to allow adaptability on the factory floor.![beverage robot assisted workflow 1 bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/beverage_robot_assisted_workflow_1_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Four top tips for automation projects in the food and beverage industry
22 February, 2021 A challenge accelerated by the Coronavirus pandemic has seen producers having to juggle between longer term range proliferation centred on consumer demands, and range (SKU’s) reduction caused by retailers and consumers rapidly changing buying habits. Companies that break new ground by using innovative technologies not only gain agility but also reduce scrap, contamination risk, waste and losses.![leica tm cobot epoxy newssingle sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/leica_tm_cobot_epoxy_newssingle_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Innovative cobot application improves safety at Leica Geosystems
11 February, 2021 Collaborative robot automates tray handling and improves safety and ergonomics in a hazardous working area.![ntnu omron tm newssingle sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/ntnu_omron_tm_newssingle_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Developing smart and flexible production: Norwegian university sets up new manufacturing lab packed with robots
10 February, 2021 The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has developed a new educational laboratory in Ålesund to facilitate learning and extend the implementation of automation and robotics amongst manufacturers in the region. The lab is packed with a wide range of OMRON solutions – both hardware and software.![europe battery industry 1 background bboard misc](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/europe_battery_industry_1_background_bboard_misc.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Powering the European automotive industry
29 January, 2021 The European automotive industry is facing strong competition from Asia, as well as the economic challenges of the pandemic. It needs to develop innovative, future-proof strategies and technologies that will boost both efficiency and sustainability. Tony Seba from Stanford University believes that by 2025, no more new vehicles with (pure) combustion engines will be sold and there will be a move towards battery or hydrogen-powered fuel cells. Meanwhile, the industry faces falling sales, increasingly strict emissions regulations, new technologies, digitisation and changing consumer needs. Companies must respond by converting their production lines; becoming more agile; and introducing innovations that provide a competitive edge.![generali jeniot 2 fcard it misc](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/generali_jeniot_2_fcard_it_misc.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
High-speed robot tests the reliability of black boxes
14 May, 2020 A non-destructive alternative to crash tests![automotive bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/automotive_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Integrated data control, motion control and machine vision for next-generation automotive production line
24 April, 2020 The Mexican regional headquarters of a leading manufacturer of premium air brake actuators for global on-highway and specialty markets required a new automated production assembly line. One of the company’s key performance indicators is to deliver a fully assembled product every 30 seconds, and it is with this end goal at the forefront that the team started the process of automating the production line.![IoT-Security bboard misc](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/IoT-Security_bboard_misc.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
IoT security for manufacturers
11 December, 2019 The Internet of Things (IoT) is a recent concept, involving the connection of devices that incorporate electronics, software or sensors, with the aim of collecting and exchanging data.![touching smart factory module newssingle sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/touching_smart_factory_module_newssingle_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Smart machines: laying the golden egg?
16 October, 2019 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).![industry-4-0 example internet of things bboard back](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/industry-4-0_example_internet_of_things_bboard_back.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
A practical illustration of IoT and Industry 4.0
01 October, 2019 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.![automation services prod](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/automation_services_prod.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
What is the effect of Brexit on automation in the UK?
26 September, 2019 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.![industry4-0 concept business people shaking hands industry-graphic bboard back](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/industry4-0_concept_business_people_shaking_hands_industry-graphic_bboard_back.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Industry 4.0 - hot topic or hot air?
19 September, 2019 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.![conveyor filled cans bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/conveyor_filled_cans_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
How smart is your packaging line?
17 September, 2019 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.![handling multiple materials bboard back](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/handling_multiple_materials_bboard_back.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Smart sensing for multiple materials!
06 May, 2019 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!![flex production robots bboard back](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/flex_production_robots_bboard_back.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Rock solid results with flexible production & robotics!
06 May, 2019 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.![service level satisfaction bboard back](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/service_level_satisfaction_bboard_back.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Direct link IT & OT puts factories on cloud nine
25 February, 2019 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.![quality level bboard back](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/quality_level_bboard_back.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Don't let vibrations catch you off balance!
25 February, 2019 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.![flexibility efficiency quality turning knob bboard back](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/flexibility_efficiency_quality_turning_knob_bboard_back.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Expect the unexpected: Prepare, Prevent & Predict
25 February, 2019 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.![oee me bboard back](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/oee_me_bboard_back.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Transforming the manufacturing industry beyond OEE
11 February, 2019 Omron's series of 'OEE & me'-publications offers manufacturers, machine builders, and system integrators a convenient, complete and up-to-date guide to state-of-the-art OEE solutions. Practical insights that clearly explain what these new industrial automation solutions can do for your business. We will focus on topics like Staying Competitive (machine condition monitoring, autonomous production flows, and machine stops), Quality Control & Regulations (perfect packaging, managing waste, and avoiding contamination), and Mass Customization (avoiding idle time and production disruptions).![ld mobile robot bmw bboard sol](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/ld_mobile_robot_bmw_bboard_sol.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Agile and clever tailor-made mobile robotics
04 November, 2019 Major German automotive group optimizes efficiency and innovation leadership in material handling with Omron LD mobile robots and a conveyor attachment from cts GmbH.Automobile production and assembly line production have always been closely linked. It was not until Henry Ford began using conveyor belts in his factories in 1913 that the car was able to conquer the world as a mass-produced product. Today, a working day without assembly lines is inconceivable at the BMW factories. The group relies on innovative transport and logistics to increase efficiency and flexibility, to better link work processes, as well as to relieve employees from repetitive and time-consuming tasks. These concepts include Omron LD mobile robots for material transport that deliver a particularly high return on investment (ROI). These autonomous mobile robots are equipped with a conveyor tower - a height-adjustable load handling device, developed by system integrator cts GmbH. The interaction between employees and transport robots at BMW impressively demonstrates how factory harmony can be implemented in the factory of the future.![mobile robot intek smart factory newssingle prod](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/mobile_robot_intek_smart_factory_newssingle_prod.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)
Mobile robots speed production at new ‘smart factory’
26 September, 2019 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.![automotive fhv7 prod](https://8z1xg04k.tinifycdn.com/images/automotive_fhv7_prod.jpg?resize.method=scale&resize.width=368)