Staffordshire firm outlines how additive manufacturing will shape the future

From left: Nick Temple, Lester Bull & Ross Fenion (B&R), John Armstrong (PP Control & Automation), Ken Christie (ePLAN) and George Thompson (Comau)

A Staffordshire manufacturer has shared its vision for the future of the industry by highlighting the advances being made at its new factory.

PP Control & Automation offered its insight into the additive manufacturing techniques as it welcomed more than 20 machine builders and manufacturers to its Cheslyn Hay operation.

A workshop hosted by the firm, entitled ‘Smart Machines for the Future’, featured talks on Industry 4.0, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) and Virtual Reality.

Delegates – including, Mazak, Winbro, Inca Digital, ASMPT DEK and GKN Wheels and Structures – also had the opportunity to see a firsthand demonstration of collaborative robots from Comau and the increasing role they play in securing greater process efficiencies.

John Armstrong, sales director of PP Control & Automation, said: “There has been a lot of talk about Smart Factories, but very few people actually fully understand the concept, and more importantly, what it will involve for manufacturers in all parts of the supply chain.

“We wanted to help change that by offering a detailed insight into what it could look like on the shop floor, and the only way we could do this was by assembling some of our technical partners who are experts in their field.

“It appeared to be a line-up that really worked, with some delegates confirming that, as OEMs, they are being driven by their customers to provide not only highly automated, but connected machines that can drive productivity and achieve the agility required.”

David Evans, operations manager (UK) for Heller Machine Tools, said the event had been very useful.

“It was a very topical issue to address and gave me a deeper insight into how Industry 4.0 and its different facets could have a positive impact on what we do as a CNC machine tool manufacturer,” he said.

PP Control & Automation, which is a member of the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), supplies electrical control systems, cable harnesses and sub-contract manufacturing solutions to a range of clients.

It has recently completed a £1m extension to its facilities, creating an additional 1,000 sqm of production space. This has facilitated growth in new technology markets and satisfied interest from a wider international customer base.

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