Automation blog

Powering the European automotive industry

29 januari 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.

Data paradise factory floor: get more out of your machine and production information

25 september 2020 Strategic Data Science is an essential pillar of every Industry 4.0 scenario. A four-step data mining approach based on CRISP-DM supports successful projects.

Get the full value from your factory floor data with data sciences

19 juni 2020 Industry 4.0 and IIoT have been buzz words for several years and these concepts are actually implemented on more and more machines. A huge amount of data becomes available: machine data, data of the production process and data regarding the manufactured product. Big Data has entered the factory floor.

Energizing European battery cell production

1 maj 2020 What can European automotive companies do to future-proof their production lines, especially in relation to battery manufacturing? Robotics, automated quality control and artificial intelligence (AI) can help companies to tackle the strong competition they are facing from Asia.

Smart machines: laying the golden egg?

16 oktober 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).

Improve OEE with Artificial Intelligence at the Edge in Food Manufacturing

16 oktober 2019 Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in food manufacturing is picking up speed. Many F&B companies are realizing that AI presents an opportunity to increase not only the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) – and therefore combine reduced costs with increased productivity – but also to improve the analysis of data to support continuous improvement programs such as reducing waste or process operations variability.

Edge, Fog and Cloud clarified

16 september 2019 What do the terms Edge, Fog and Cloud mean in relation to artificial intelligence in industrial manufacturing? They are actually different layers of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Here is a quick overview on how we at Omron describe these terms in relation to AI, using an analogy with a nervous system.

Artificial Intelligence and the future of manufacturing

16 september 2019 The discussion about ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI) in manufacturing is now gaining momentum. This is mainly due to the availability of greater processing power and increasing volumes of data (the ‘sensorisation’ of the industry). A key factor that will help manufacturers to gain the maximum benefit from these recent advances is the use of adaptive algorithms. This in turn is a major stepping stone towards the development of ‘the factory of the future’.

Cobot ensures precise assembly of magnets for LITMAT’s drain plugs

3 juni 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.

Mobile robot automates food distribution in a pilot at senior center

16 april 2021

Choosing a robot for a smart factory

2 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.

Cobot Dashboard: How to visualize data for OEE improvement the smart way

16 mars 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.

Automation for zero touch: Improving safety, quality and efficiency in F&B

15 mars 2021 Recent innovations in automation, robotics, image processing and artificial intelligence (AI) can help companies to migrate towards zero touch processes.

Mobil robot transporterar avfall på Kymmenedalens centralsjukhus i Finland

8 mars 2021 Avfallstransport och logistikplanering kräver höga arbetsinsatser i sjukhusmiljöer, och avfallshanteringen är en fysisk uppgift som kräver mycket tid och personal.

Affordable automation: Leasing cobots and mobile robots for flexibility on the factory floor

4 mars 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.

Four top tips for automation projects in the food and beverage industry

22 februari 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.

Innovative cobot application improves safety at Leica Geosystems

11 februari 2021 Collaborative robot automates tray handling and improves safety and ergonomics in a hazardous working area.

Developing smart and flexible production: Norwegian university sets up new manufacturing lab packed with robots

10 februari 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.

Powering the European automotive industry

29 januari 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.

ControlTec helps Polish hospital tackle the pandemic with a UVC mobile robot

26 januari 2021 Using an OMRON LD mobile robot, ControlTec was one of the first companies in the world to develop a sterilisation robot equipped with a UVC irradiator.

Cobot Dashboard: How to visualize data for OEE improvement the smart way

16 mars 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.

Developing smart and flexible production: Norwegian university sets up new manufacturing lab packed with robots

10 februari 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.

Data paradise factory floor: get more out of your machine and production information

25 september 2020 Strategic Data Science is an essential pillar of every Industry 4.0 scenario. A four-step data mining approach based on CRISP-DM supports successful projects.

Get the full value from your factory floor data with data sciences

19 juni 2020 Industry 4.0 and IIoT have been buzz words for several years and these concepts are actually implemented on more and more machines. A huge amount of data becomes available: machine data, data of the production process and data regarding the manufactured product. Big Data has entered the factory floor.

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.

Smart machines: laying the golden egg?

16 oktober 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).

A practical illustration of IoT and Industry 4.0

1 oktober 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.

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.

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.

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.

Factory automation: four tips for the future of food & beverage manufacturing

16 juli 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has posed major challenges to organisations of all types and sizes. In the food and commodity industry, companies have faced significantly reduced consumption and disrupted supply chains, while at-home consumption increased, and out-of-home consumption came near to a standstill. But how can manufacturers adapt their business strategies and production processes both now and in the longer term? The pandemic may provide an opportunity for rethinking outdated processes and procedures and enhancing them with concepts such as innovative robotics, sensor technology and holistic automation strategies.

Six challenges for brand protection

19 november 2019 Brand protection is an important topic for any business. But as industrial companies invest in new technology, such as smart robotics, artificial intelligence and vision systems, are they aware of the key challenges that could affect their brand?

Legacy of machine vision

16 oktober 2019 Did you know that for more than 40 years, Omron has developed vision sensing technologies for factory automation, surveillance and transport systems, and more recently for facial recognition and image processing for mobile phones, and even driver monitoring for autonomous driving?

Late-stage customization in pharmaceutical manufacturing

16 oktober 2019 As a result of serialization legislation, pharmaceutical manufacturers must now ensure that labels printed at a late stage contain all of the data required for compliance. This includes customizing product labels for certain markets, customers or products by adding variable data to labels or packaging. This avoids the need to stock individual packaging materials for each variant.

How to secure FMCG supply chains with traceability?

2 oktober 2019 The traceability of food and drink products throughout the production and distribution process can be a complex issue. For example, alcoholic drink producers need systems that enable them to comply with local regulations regarding food traceability, as well as tax legislation.

Barcodes: keeping track of product quality

2 oktober 2019 For many years, barcode technology has proved to be an economical and flexible identification technology. It has continued to develop and as a result, 1D and 2D codes (such as Datamatrix) are now used almost universally. Their versatility have made them a popular choice for streamlining many key supply chain processes, including production, logistics and item traceability.

Is your production line ready for inspection?

12 september 2019 Quality inspections are a critical requirement for all manufacturing and packaging lines. Being able to identify defective products before they are shipped to customers can bring significant savings in both time and money. It prevents costly product recalls, wasted production and potentially expensive legal costs.For perishable products – from food to pharmaceuticals – quality inspection of the packaging is also vital. An unreadable barcode or a wrong expiry date could lead to perfectly good products being discarded. And increasingly strict legislation is making clear marking a top priority for all types of products.

Plastics in consumer goods manufacturing: Seven automation tips for greener packaging

29 april 2021 Hygiene or environmental protection? Preferably both! Companies in the consumer goods industry are increasingly asking themselves what alternatives they have to plastic packaging and how they can act greener, more efficiently, and yet still safely. Innovative packaging lines, robotics and artificial intelligence offer support.

Cobot Dashboard: How to visualize data for OEE improvement the smart way

16 mars 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.

Four top tips for automation projects in the food and beverage industry

22 februari 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.

Factory automation: four tips for the future of food & beverage manufacturing

16 juli 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has posed major challenges to organisations of all types and sizes. In the food and commodity industry, companies have faced significantly reduced consumption and disrupted supply chains, while at-home consumption increased, and out-of-home consumption came near to a standstill. But how can manufacturers adapt their business strategies and production processes both now and in the longer term? The pandemic may provide an opportunity for rethinking outdated processes and procedures and enhancing them with concepts such as innovative robotics, sensor technology and holistic automation strategies.

Improve OEE with Artificial Intelligence at the Edge in Food Manufacturing

16 oktober 2019 Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in food manufacturing is picking up speed. Many F&B companies are realizing that AI presents an opportunity to increase not only the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) – and therefore combine reduced costs with increased productivity – but also to improve the analysis of data to support continuous improvement programs such as reducing waste or process operations variability.

3 Steps to Optimize Operational Efficiency for the Future of Manufacturing

2 oktober 2019 Operational Excellence is required to maximize capital expenditures. But at the same time manufacturers are challenged to move away from traditional high volume, low mix production runs, to more complex high mix, low volume production with consumer demand linked directly with production. How to optimize operational efficiency to be ready for the future of manufacturing?

The power of collaboration between machines, people and teams

1 oktober 2019 With today’s rapid advances in technology, the manufacturing sector needs to be increasingly agile, ready to adapt to changing demands. Production lines must be more flexible, so that they can cope with shorter production runs, more varied products and tight deadlines. So how can manufacturers address these challenges? The solution lies in more advanced, interconnected and intelligent systems that can be programmed to handle a range of tasks.

Minimum complexity, Maximum yield

8 juli 2019 Omron's leading position in packaging automation in the Food & Beverage industry is based on smart and simple solutions that result in solid success. A concept that we dubbed Perfect Packaging. Omron's Perfect Packaging approach structurally eliminates risks and boosts production even in tough situations when high throughput is required. But also optimises your filling. Minimising under- or overfill.

At Omron we serve to protect Package Integrity!

8 juli 2019 Protecting a product is the main purpose of any package. Food packaging that is not closed completely airtight can cause a whole range of problems resulting in huge expenses and problematic long-term consequences for manufacturers. Loss of nutrients and aroma to premature spoilage are the least problematic relative to the costly aftermath that easily comes around the corner when consumer health is at stake and recalls enter the media.

Perfect Packaging, ordinary packaging executed extraordinary well

8 juli 2019 Packaging processes rarely harbour extremely surprising variables. From manufacturers to system integrators, machine builders and industrial automation providers, we all know the essentials that make packaging production a definite success. However, the everyday reality on the factory floor is that small imperfections in the process result in major output disturbances. That is why Omron introduces its Perfect Packaging concept featuring smart innovations that ensure that ordinary F&B-packaging is executed extraordinary well. We help make your bottom-line top!

Go with the Adaptive and Dynamic production flow!

6 maj 2019 Flexible and fast responses to changes in market dynamics improve performance. Made-for-me production flows are the future of manufacturing coherent with Industry 4.0. A reality that Omron already provides today through its cutting edge innovative-Automation approach. Turning factory floor data into highly valuable information, we realize intelligent automation solutions for manufacturers around the globe.

Smart sensing for multiple materials!

6 maj 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!

Plastics in consumer goods manufacturing: Seven automation tips for greener packaging

29 april 2021 Hygiene or environmental protection? Preferably both! Companies in the consumer goods industry are increasingly asking themselves what alternatives they have to plastic packaging and how they can act greener, more efficiently, and yet still safely. Innovative packaging lines, robotics and artificial intelligence offer support.

Powering the European automotive industry

29 januari 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.

Moving to e-mobility: seven tips for success

8 september 2020 The automotive industry throughout Europe is changing. It’s been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated declining sales. And there have been other problems. For instance, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) forecasts that German vehicle manufacturers and suppliers could lose a quarter of their total workforce by 2030. A similarly gloomy picture is also emerging in the UK. Offsetting this is a growing demand for electric cars, which could lead to many new jobs being created.

Zero-defect philosophy helps resolve the world’s future issues

5 juni 2020 Imagine the city center of a modern metropolis in 2030: a multitude of unmanned, electrically-powered vehicles driving swiftly and silently through the streets. These vehicles sense traffic lights and other road signs and make decisions using artificial intelligence. They avoid people, who unexpectedly cross their path. They detect and avoid dangerous situations before they occur. And they contribute to everyone’s health and safety. But what happens if the associated electrical systems fail? Omron is already addressing this problem today.

Energizing European battery cell production

1 maj 2020 What can European automotive companies do to future-proof their production lines, especially in relation to battery manufacturing? Robotics, automated quality control and artificial intelligence (AI) can help companies to tackle the strong competition they are facing from Asia.

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.

ŠKODA AUTO uses LD mobile robot at Vrchlabí plant

17 mars 2020 The autonomous robot contributes to the continuous improvement of work safety in Vrchlabí and helps to minimise work risks. It recognises people crossing its path as well as other vehicles and stationary obstacles.

Green is key: sustainability in battery manufacturing for E-mobility

5 februari 2020 Today, sustainability is no longer a niche topic, but something that companies are integrating into their business strategies. Not only are sustainability practices necessary to answer the changing demands of consumers, the marketplace and governments, they are also increasingly being seen as a competitive strength. That’s because sustainability practices reduce energy consumption and waste, and also help companies use their resources more efficiently. They even help companies optimize their manufacturing agility and enable them to respond to fluctuating demand and the growing need for personalization. And finally, sustainability can play an important role in acquiring and retaining customers, as well in developing new market opportunities.

Agile and clever tailor-made mobile robotics

4 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 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.

How to design integrated safety into machines from the start?

19 september 2019 Safety is a vital element of any modern production or packaging line. Safety systems protect employees and prevent malfunctions from causing damage to valuable products and equipment. If there’s an issue, a good safety system will stop the line to avoid any potential accidents, which also allows the line to be restarted quickly.