EU Automation

Small-scale production has its advantages, allowing for agile and flexible production and facilitating product customisation. However, once products are perfected and processes optimised, manufacturers might wish to scale up and reach a truly global customer base. Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, shares three tips for manufacturers who want to expand their operations.

Some of the world’s biggest companies are coming up with technology such as automated warehousing solutions to streamline all sorts of tasks, from picking and packing to greeting visitors. In this article, Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, showcases three examples of futuristic, highly automated projects that could inspire the manufacturers of today.

Manufacturing plays a significant role in the global economy. For more than two centuries, the industry has developed rapidly, adopting more and more technology. This acceleration has significant consequences for workers, creating a skills gap between the skills they already possess, and the ones needed to keep up with the technological demand. Here Neil Bellinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, discusses the job titles and skills necessary for the future of manufacturing.

Small businesses have been some of the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, lacking the resources needed to recover in the same manner as bigger companies. The new Help to Grow scheme announced by the UK Government plans to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) develop their digital competencies and boost their profits, while helping the nation expand its technological infrastructure. Here Neil Bellinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, explains what the new initiative means for the manufacturing sector.

The year 2020 has been named the ‘year of remote work’, due to the changing work conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many occupations, a suitable work environment requires no more than a desk, a PC and an Internet connection. However, maintenance engineers require innovative technology and expert software. In this article, Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, discusses the requirements of remote working maintenance engineers.

Electric motors are the backbone of manufacturing, but they are also among the most energy-intensive pieces of equipment. More than 65% of electrical energy in industry is consumed by motors, and the annual cost of running one of them can be up to ten times its original price. Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, shares three tips to make your motor more energy efficient.  

At one billionth of a metre in size, it can be hard to grasp just how small nanoparticles are. To put it into perspective, if a nanoparticle was the size of a football, then a kiwi would be the size of the Earth by comparison. Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, explains how these tiny particles will make a large impact in the future of engineering.

It’s entirely natural to want the latest and greatest technology. From consumer smartphones to industrial automation, research and development is constantly pushing technology towards the next big innovation. This need for progress drives the modern world, but it can leave businesses operating legacy technology in its wake. Here, Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, discusses the ups and downs of operating legacy technology in the modern manufacturing factory.

Necessity, as the saying goes, is the mother of invention. In 2020, manufacturing had to cope with the consequences of a global pandemic, unpredictable markets, and political instability, all while dealing with pressing issues that were already troubling the sector before, such as the need to form sustainable production practices. Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, offers an overview of three sectors where the difficulties of 2020 have originated new opportunities for 2021.

Modern manufacturing relies on interconnected robots to make Industry 4.0 a reality. Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA sales at EU Automation, explains how industrial robots could be hacked and what can be done to mitigate the threat of cyber crime.

There is a misconception that the benefits of industrial robots are reserved for few manufacturing giants. However, according to the Robotics Industries Association (RIA), enterprises with less than 100 employees and less than ten robots represent a growing segment of the robotics market. Here, Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, explains what to consider when implementing industrial robotics in small and mid-sized manufacturing businesses.

Customisation has changed the way we purchase hundreds of items. For example, shoes were invented over 4,000 years ago but weren’t customised for left and right feet until the industrial revolution. Now, consumers expect a lot more than shoes moulded to each foot. They can select the material, colour, laces and more. As this trend takes over the retail industry, will we see it change manufacturing in the same way? Alex Darby, Head of People at EU Automation explores the role of personalisation in the future of manufacturing.

Science fiction has a long history of inspiring technology that we now use on a daily basis. The creators of Star Trek first envisioned sliding doors and cell phones back in the 1960s, while video calling was already being referenced in 1927 classic Metropolis. But what about manufacturing? Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, gives five examples of industrial automation technology that was once science fiction, but is now a reality.

The popularity of fitness classes and online channels dedicated to wellbeing shows that, when it comes to our bodies, people are fully aware that prevention is the key to health. The same is true when it comes to industrial equipment like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), the heart of industrial automation. Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, shares his expert advice on how to maintain PLCs.

To add another tier of educational content to its website, EU Automation has launched EUAudio, a free podcast on industrial automation and smart manufacturing, available on the company’s website and on all major audio streaming platforms. EUAudio enriches the company’s already vast offering of free learning content. This includes an online content zone, which is updated weekly, several videos and two downloadable e-books.

Safety laser scanners are a great option to keep workers out of hazardous areas without using barriers, fencing or caging. At their core is an optical sensor that uses pulsed laser light to scan the surrounding area, prompting a dangerous machine to stop if it detects an intrusion. These versatile systems can effectively improve safety on the factory floor, but to fully reap their benefits, manufacturers must mount and configure them correctly. Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, offers some tips for correct design and installation.

Despite the financial instability that characterised the first half of 2020, the demand for professionals in the field of data management and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is steadily on the rise. This is what emerges from LinkedIn’s 2020 UK Emerging Jobs Report, which revealed that companies are on the lookout for individuals that have a strong technical background, but also outstanding problem-solving skills. Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, examines the UK’s top-three emerging jobs and what these trends mean for manufacturers.

The open source Robot Operating System (ROS) has been around for over ten years and has thousands of developers building packages for it. In fact, according to a 2019 report by ABI Research, nearly 55% of the world's robots will include a ROS package by 2024. With this language growing in popularity, Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, discusses whether ROS is becoming the common automation language for robotics.

Upgrading to the latest mobile phone or laptop offers the chance to get rid of the old and embrace the new, often in spite of your older model still working. In industrial settings, there’s often a similar pressure to upgrade, chasing higher productivity and efficiency. However, just because something is old, even obsolete, it doesn’t mean you have to find a replacement.

  Modern manufacturing has become very data intensive, which has made choosing where to store data critically importance. Here Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, explains the trade-offs and opportunities of hybrid cloud storage.