EU Automation

Back in 1993, the idea of mass customisation by offering custom jeans was pioneered by Levi Strauss, but it didn’t take off. Changing customer attitudes towards mass marketed products and advances in technology has led to the wider introduction of mass customisation – a way to produce customised products without compromising on efficiency. Mark Proctor, Managing Director of obsolete industrial equipment supplier EU Automation discusses the potential of mass customisation for the manufacturing industry.

Famously stating: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” is what we remember from British science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, from his third law of prediction. And predictive analytics is not quite magic, but it could make a world of difference for companies who want to save costs and improve efficiency. 

In industrial plants, automation systems are becoming commonplace as companies compete on speed of production and cost. The need for fast turnaround and wider product offerings means that carrying out tasks manually is becoming a disadvantage to companies. Automation brings the ability to control, process, track and manage production in real time, while reducing labour costs and increasing efficiency and accuracy.

We all know that Blue January, the third Monday in January, is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. Despite emerging from marketing and pseudo-science, the idea holds a nugget of wisdom, considering the weather conditions, debt level, time passed since the winter holidays and time until the next holiday.

Industrial obsolescence is speeding up, and it is now important for manufacturers to have some level of obsolescence management strategy in place to mitigate the risks of obsolescence. Companies can implement strategies that are proactive, reactive or a mixture. Jonathan Wilkins, Marketing Director of obsolete parts supplier, EU Automation discusses the benefits of a proactive obsolescence management strategy for manufactures.

For manufacturers interested in making their production method more sustainable by contributing to the circular economy, an industry guide has been published by EU Automation. The guide can be downloaded, for free from EU Automation's website, under the Industry Guides section.

The key premise of many science fiction stories, whether that be intelligent robots or alien invasions, is humanity’s fear of losing control and essentially being second in command. However, in industrial terms, the fundamental building blocks of any smart factory is automated equipment and in order to stay competitive, manufacturers must learn to embrace this technology, as Jonathan Wilkins, Marketing Director of industrial parts supplier, EU Automation explains.

  The smart supply chain will play a vital role in the factory of the future. Bob Davies, International Operations Manager of obsolete components supplier, EU Automation, explains.

‘You can’t have your cake and eat it’ is one of many non-sensical phrases in the English language. To put it simply, this phrase means that you can't have it both ways. However, this is about to be proven wrong, as it's possible to retrofit while migrating to Industry 4.0.

An infographic detailing the benefits of purchasing obsolete components as opposed to buying brand new equipment has been released by EU Automation. Focusing on the financial and regulatory benefits of sourcing obsolete, the handy infographic is available to download for free.

Whether you like it or not, the world that we live in, is a modern world of fluidity and interconnectedness in which the once ordinary now transcends all previous boundaries. Let’s take the kettle for example; the fact that you can now purchase a kettle that is controllable from your mobile via the internet is a clear sign of the revolution.

Set to release its first book aimed at helping manufacturers increase their understanding of obsolescence management, is industrial equipment supplier EU Automation. The book features interviews with industry experts and EU Automation’s seven steps to better obsolescence management. The print and electronic versions of the book will be available on Amazon from 6th October.