Digitally-native and open to technological progress, Gen Z could be the secret weapon the manufacturing sector needs to harness the power of automation. But it is incumbent on the industry to make sure the younger generation is turned on to careers in engineering and robotics.
Automation expertise and a flexible six-axis robot cell from FANUC have supported injection moulding firm Mitre Plastics during its latest project for a white goods manufacturer.
With the goal of reducing transportation distances within its facility, and enhancing workforce efficiency to accommodate its expansion needs, Polar Semiconductor turned to OMRON's robotics technology for a flexible and cost-effective solution, recognising the need to optimise its production processes.
There are several reasons why cobots are gaining popularity. First, they provide a solution to many of the challenges that manufacturers are facing in this ‘new normal’ era. Cobots can also help manufacturers to counteract the ongoing issue of unskilled labour shortages, by freeing up human workers to carry out more valuable tasks.
With the UK still lagging behind other G7 countries on its adoption of industrial robots, Neli Ivanova of Siemens Financial Services (SFS) in the UK explores how specialist finance can help to support investment to keep UK manufacturing world-leading.
Updated research by Interact Analysis shows that revenues for the key components in industrial robots exceeded $10.5 billion in 2021, which has led the company to revise their forecasts upwards for the next 5 years.