{"id":707,"date":"2017-09-29T11:35:37","date_gmt":"2017-09-29T04:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simenteknindo.com\/news\/?p=707"},"modified":"2017-09-29T11:54:23","modified_gmt":"2017-09-29T04:54:23","slug":"introducing-the-adaptive-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simenteknindo.com\/news\/introducing-the-adaptive-machine\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the Adaptive Machine"},"content":{"rendered":"

For years, decades even, manufacturers have been trying to make production and packaging lines more agile and efficient. Oftentimes, that includes the use of robotics, diagnostics, integrated safety, high-speed networking, system integration and simulation. But there\u2019s a lot of equipment on the plant floor, and manufacturers need help.<\/p>\n

So, it\u2019s no surprise that the pressure is now on OEMs to apply the same automation technology directly to their machines in order to create a more flexible foundation. It\u2019s a disruptive concept, as it means that machine builders will have to abandon their dedicated machine designs and adopt more modular components that can be reconfigured as needed.<\/p>\n

But, we are entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a time when digitization combines physical and virtual worlds<\/a> and machines are intelligent, connected and increasingly autonomous. Such a dramatic shift in the use of technology means the industry as a whole must transform.<\/p>\n

This manufacturing revolution requires a machine evolution. And here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n

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As consumers ask for more products at a faster pace, CPG and food and beverage manufacturers are dealing with mass customization resulting in more SKUs, shorter production runs and frequent changeovers.<\/a> The industry is entering the age of the smart machine, a system that is made up of modules that will support the \u201cbatch-of-one<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

To help OEMs get ready for this shift, a new whitepaper by B&R Industrial Automation North America<\/a> explores the attributes and the enabling technologies behind this next generation machinery, a new category that B&R is calling \u201cadaptive machines.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSwitching from glass bottles to plastic, or from rigid to flexible containers, requires completely new filling and packaging machinery,\u201d according to the B&R whitepaper. \u201cAn adaptive machine is one that has the capacity to change over on the fly, and moreover, to reconfigure with different production modules on the same base machine platform. It will readily be adaptable to constant size and format changes. But it will also be adaptable to radical and unforeseen requirements through corresponding equipment changes, such as replacing a carton erector module with a pouch forming module.\u201d<\/p>\n

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With fluctuations in product and packaging needs, manufacturers will need to be able to accommodate changes that could occur over the 20 plus year service life of an industrial machine\u2014all while maintaining OEE. The adaptive machine will do that.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s an interesting twist that B&R points out: \u201cWith a practical batch-of-one manufacturing and packaging capability, manufacturers can go direct to consumer, without the added steps and cost of going through an e-commerce reseller.\u201d That means a new go-to-market strategy for manufacturers. \u201cWhile batch size one has been elusive, its appeal to manufacturers is quite clear,\u201d the B&R report states.<\/p>\n

So, how are these flexible systems coming together? At last year\u2019s IMTS and PACK EXPO shows in Chicago, and at PACK EXPO Las Vegas<\/a> next week, B&R will showcase\u00a0ATS Automation\u2019s SuperTrak, a modular conveyor that was integrated with B&R\u2019s machine and robotic control. This multi-purpose, build-to-order, batch-of-one system can be used for collating, filling, sealing\/capping, inspection, serialization, coding, labeling and other packaging applications.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, the next-generation industrial transport technology uses software to simulate<\/a> the movements of shuttles on the SuperTrak conveyor in conjunction with synchronized subsystems such as robotics and CNC. This streamlines the development and verification process of the project.<\/p>\n

Other technologies in play on B&R-enabled adaptive machines include:<\/p>\n