MT Magazine January/February 2023

WANT TO BE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE? THINK ROBOTS AND AUTOMATION MANUFACTURING COMPANIES THE WORLD OVER ARE EMBRACING ROBOTS IN A BIG WAY. by Gary S. Vasilash | 13

RESOLVE TO EXCEL IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT by Douglas K. Woods | 01

THE ART OF COLLABORATION by Andra Keay | 27

METROLOGY: AUTOMATION’S UNSUNG HERO by Chris Chidzik | 32

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 THE AUTOMATION ISSUE VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 7

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A VIEW FROM THE WOODS

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Resolve To Excel in a Changing Environment

there was 10.4%, and it was 7.75% in the United States. It cost $7.30 for a gallon of gas. Natural gas prices were skyrocketing. And a major war is taking place not far away from them, about the distance from Chicago to Denver. None of this is good for business as usual. In Germany there is a group of companies collectively known as “Mittelstand,” small to midsized manufacturers that tend to have specialization in their production. One of the things that some of these companies that are providing equipment and products to the likes of BMW and Mercedes face – as is the case for those supplying GM and Ford – is the transition to electric vehicles. Everything from piston insertion automation to cylinder honing becomes far less relevant. And even if those Mittelstand companies have been making that equipment for 50 years and are really good at it, their customers don’t care because they need to change for regulatory and market demands. When I talked with some of the Mittelstand owners and managers, I learned that they are working to determine (1) what they can continue to provide their existing customers, (2) their skillsets and capabilities that will be valuable to customers in other industries, and (3) what technologies they will need to make the shift. They recognize that what was once a safe harbor is now being roiled by economic tidal waves. They can learn to surf, or they can get swept away. We all face these forces of change. Whether you’re in Seattle or Stuttgart, Indianapolis or Ingolstadt, maintaining the status quo is simply something that we can no longer do. Which brings me back to the whole notion of resolutions, New Year’s or otherwise. In 2023, we must resolve to do the work that will make our organizations more resilient and capable, more agile and responsive – regardless of industry. We’ve seen how the pandemic changed things in almost an instant, howwe had tomake changes in our operations. Just as resolutions can slip away, so can lessons learned. We’ve got to deploy our best practices, jettison those that no longer work, and find new ways of operating in order to deal with the changing environment. Yes, this means we have to do something different, something extra. But the alternative could be having way too much time on our hands – and not productive time.

If you are reading this, say, three weeks after Jan. 1 and happened tomake a resolution on that day, odds are better than average that your resolution has fallen by the wayside. Let’s face it: You are a busy person, and the resolution adds something to your daily routine, even if it is not doing something.

If you decided that you’re going to forego a midmorning coffee, something that you’ve been drinking for years without a second thought, then in order not to have it, you need to think about it. As you’ve got plenty on your plate already, it is easier not to do the work – and it is work – to change what you’ve long been doing. This is not to say that I am against New Year’s resolutions. Far from it. I’ve found that if I don’t deliberately make changes – whether in my personal or professional lives – then continuing what I’ve been doing is really easy – until I realize that things around me have changed, and I have to scramble to react. Which is far from being a good way to work. Given the tremendous changes that are occurring in the world – whether it’s the impacts of inflation and interest rates or continued supply chain inconsistencies – to think that we can continue to operate as though none of that is happening is a recipe for suboptimal success – at best. Doing what we’ve always done simply won’t cut it for any of us. Last September I had the opportunity to meet with plenty of people from the United States and around the world at IMTS 2022. In November I spent time in Japan and Europe talking with people about manufacturing and manufacturing technology. These were people who work at different kinds of companies and organizations, people who range from plant managers to engineers, from association executives to sales managers. It gave me a collective perspective on what’s going on and how people are moving forward. What is consistent across the board is an appreciation of the emerging and increasingly important technologies – like additive manufacturing, advanced automation, or digitally driven manufacturing – that are providing long-sought-after capabilities to small shops, midsized manufacturing firms, and massive factories alike. One thing I learned is that these folks are all facing an array of challenges – as we all are – and they recognize that they need to change up their approaches to their businesses and organizations to operate effectively and efficiently – something we all need to do. We are all facing issues that are testing us in terms of producing products, providing services, and, importantly, making profits. When I was in Germany, I talked to manufacturing people who are really up against some serious challenges: The inflation rate

Douglas K. Woods President AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology

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Technology Benjamin Moses Director, Technology bmoses@AMTonline.org Intelligence Ian Stringer VP, Data Strategy istringer@AMTonline.org Smartforce Greg Jones VP, Smartforce Development gjones@AMTonline.org Advocacy Amber Thomas VP, Advocacy athomas@AMTonline.org International Ed Christopher VP, Global Services echristopher@AMTonline.org

Chris Downs Director, Audience Development cmdowns@AMTonline.org

Peter Eelman Chief Experience Officer peelman@AMTonline.org

Kathy Webster Managing Editor, Content kwebster@AMTonline.org

Pat McGibbon Chief Knowledge Officer pmcgibbon@AMTonline.org

Dan Hong Writer/Editor dhong@AMTonline.org

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Jacob McCloskey Graphic Designer jmccloskey@AMTonline.org

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Table of Contents

Click See what’s trending on AMTonline.org

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Manufacturing Matters Get details on the latest industry news

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AMT Upcoming Events Important manufacturing technology dates and events to bookmark

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Want To Be Globally Competitive? Think Robots and Automation by Gary S. Vasilash

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The Big Picture Automation in the Workplace

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Constant Change Keeps IMTS Experience Fresh by Peter Eelman

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Trippin’ in Chicago

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by Michelle Edmonson

The Art of Collaboration by Andra Keay

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Apocalypse Automation Now by Stephen LaMarca

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Metrology: Automation’s Unsung Hero by Chris Chidzik

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COVER DESIGN Hailey Sarnecki | Graphic Designer

INFOGRAPHIC DESIGN Automation in the Workplace Jacob McCloskey | Graphic Designer

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Click MT Magazine is more than just paper pulp and ink. Explore our content on AMTonline.org and engage with discussions on a wide array of topics affecting manufacturing technology now.

AMT and Silicon Valley Robotics Join Forces In 2022, we announced that Silicon Valley Robotics (SVR) became a part of AMT, a partnership that puts AMT at the forefront of the rapidly changing ecosystem of robotics and automation and fulfills our mission to strengthen U.S.-based manufacturing. Hear from AMT President Doug Woods and SVR Managing Director Andra Keay on how this partnership is evolving. AMTonline.org/article/AMT-and-SVR-join-forces

Be Prepared. Control Your Future — With Robotics. Industry leaders and early adopters speak about the benefits and opportunities for adding robotics to the manufacturing workflow. We present some successful case studies and the best practices for bringing robotics in alongside your workforce. IMTS.com/MainStageRobotics

Xometry Presents: Supply Chain Resiliency — 2023 Trends Although 90% percent of CEOs expect supply chain concerns to stretch well into 2023, data and insights from Xometry with Forbes and Zogby reveals resilience in the face of continued disruption. The majority of CEOs – 80% – are planning capital investments, inclusive of talent, technology, or other improvements. In this webinar, join Xometry’s Cathy Ma and AMT’s Ryan Kelly as they discuss the top-line findings and sourcing trends that may continue to influence the first quarter of 2023 and beyond. Feb. 6 at 2:00 p.m. ET. AMTonline.org/events ‘Road Trippin’ with Steve’ Special Edition Combine race cars, bourbon, world-class manufacturing technology, and a wily host, and you’ve got the special edition of “Road Trippin’ with Steve.” Continue the wild ride with AMT’s technology analyst, Stephen LaMarca, as he hits the streets of Chicago to meet up with master distiller Robert Birnecker at KOVAL Distillery, where he learns the technologies and science behind an award winning distillery and takes a spin in the IMTS Rally Fighter, concepted and constructed at IMTS 2014. Tune in now. IMTS.com/RoadTrippin

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MANUFACTURING MATTERS

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Do You Even AI, Bro? Automation has embraced artificial intelligence on the manufacturing floor for some time now – including everything from measurement to AMR. But what about the rest of the organization? It looks like AI is sneaking its way into everyday office work. Grammarly uses various AI techniques to provide text corrections and recommendations based on the context of the sentence. Microsoft uses AI for cybersecurity. Have you clicked on Design Ideas in PowerPoint? AMT uses online AI tools for text summarization, topics, and keyword analysis. AI is a means to an end. It is easy to focus on the means and lose sight of the organization’s goal. As with any manufacturing technology, defining the problem statement and then backing into the solution will drive costs downs and revenue up. Automation Driving Output Government stimulus and easy money have contributed to soaring financial asset prices, burgeoning savings accounts, and wage inflation that has inspired workers to look for greener pastures. Manufacturing job openings are more than double the level seen during the first quarter of 2020, which would normally drag down output as job hoppers adjust to their new roles. However, industrial production for durable manufacturing has grown 8% despite the turnover. Moreover, employment and hours worked have only increased 0.9% and 1.5% respectively. How is this possible? Adoption of automation is likely the answer. Since the first quarter of 2020, North American industrial robot orders have increased 82% through the second quarter of 2022 as reported by the Association for Advancing Automation. In contrast, metal-cutting machine tool orders have increased just 26%. Interestingly, the average value of metal-cutting machine tool units has increased 20%, indicating a higher ratio of units sold with automation included. INTELLIGENCE National Teacher Shortage Also Impacts CTE The national shortage of teachers across the United States is impacting every level of education, including career and technical education (CTE). The gap in our nation’s ability to attract, recruit, train, and retain teachers will continue to negatively affect our industry’s ability to show progress in filling the skills gap, especially in automation, robotics, and smart digital manufacturing technologies. In AMT’s Manufacturing Mandate, we have recommended that action be taken at the federal, state, and local levels to address this issue. Solutions include improving teacher pay scales; developing broader-reaching, public servant student loan forgiveness programs; easing state-based certification requirements; and launching long-term programs like the Department of Education’s Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program. Keep in touch with us about what’s happening in your local community to address this issue by contacting AMT Vice President of Smartforce Development Greg Jones at gjones@AMTonline.org or Smartforce Development Director of Education Catherine Ross at cross@AMTonline.org. SMARTFORCE Manufacturing Matters Check in for the highlights, headlines, and hijinks that matter to manufacturing. These lean news items keep you updated on the latest developments. Will New Balance in the House Signal Compromise? The 118th Congress convenes under new leadership in the House and a shift of the balance of power in Washington. Much is still unknown about how these new dynamics will impact policymaking. However, House GOP leaders have already indicated they’ll begin investigations into the January 6th committee and various administration officials. That, along with posturing from both parties for the 2024 presidential election, could get in the way of significant legislation reaching the president’s desk. Members of Congress must find areas where they can agree and compromise to advance their priorities. Look for efforts to extend the many 2017 tax cuts, including income tax rates which expire in 2025, and a push for a more active trade agenda. ADVOCACY TECHNOLOGY

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MANUFACTURING MATTERS

SUPPLY CHAIN – THE ONSHORING PROJECT

Robots of the World, Unite! In this issue, while talking about robots, Gary Vasilash hits the nail on the head when he states that “your competitors are not necessarily down the street or across town, but likely somewhere else on Earth.” Well, so are your potential customers, with more than 85% of the world’s manufacturing technology consumed outside of the United States. Anyone who visited a major global manufacturing technology exhibition in 2022 (IMTS, JIMTOF, MACH, METAV, etc.) could not avoid the standout theme of the day – factory automation through robotics. As Dave Burns reflected on JIMTOF, “It was difficult to walk 100 feet and not see a functional robot performing a task.” The trend is global. If your product or service is related to automation and robotics, the world is your oyster. AMT’s international tech centers can help you open that up. The Onshoring Project Is Here To Help In the wake of ongoing global supply chain disruptions, AMT and a consortium of North American innovators, practitioners, and supply chain experts from across the manufacturing industry launched The Onshoring Project. During IMTS 2022, The Onshoring Project hosted the inaugural Smarter Sourcing Symposium. Consortium members and supply chain leaders shared strategies for sounder and more financially beneficial North American part production. OEMs, tier suppliers, and contract manufacturers alike benefited from firsthand demonstrations and panel discussions on new tools and proven techniques for leaner, more agile, more profitable domestic sourcing. Specific tools and topics covered included Manufacturing Critical-Path Time (MCT), Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and Supply Chain Interoperability Specification (SCIS). INTERNATIONAL

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

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006 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Nan0 BYTES

AerO, you’re already taking everything down?

January 1, 2O23

Same as every year, NanO. January is here, and it’s time to get to work!

Written by Dan Hong // Illustrated by Jacob McCloskey

J n Us for more fun in 2023 !

It’s been a long year...

You've left this up since 2O17.

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Want To Be Globally Competitive? Think Robots and Automation Manufacturing companies the world over are embracing robots in a big way. While U.S. companies have long been deploying the equipment, there are still great opportunities that can be realized, especially as U.S. manufacturers work to gain orders from overseas – and the competition is ramping up their robotics capacity.

BY GARY S. VASILASH CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

There were 517,385 new industrial robots installed globally in 2021, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).* Marina Bill, IFR president, says, “Within six years, annual robot installations more than doubled. According to our latest statistics, installations grew strongly

*While this might seem like old news, as it is now 2023, the numbers for 2021 weren’t released until October 2022, so the relevance remains.

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in 2021 in all major customer industries, although supply chain disruptions as well as different local or regional headwinds hampered production.” Yes, global manufacturers are embracing an increasing number of robots. If there is any question about the usefulness and importance of robots and automation, realize that the 517,385 number is a 31% year-on-year increase,

The United States had the third-greatest number of installations: 34,987 units.

The United States had the third-greatest number of [robot] installations: 34,987 units.

Electronics Application However, to be fair, it is worth knowing that the leading application area for robots in China is electronics. According to market research firm IBISWorld, “China is the world’s manufacturing center for electronic products, such as TVs, computers, handsets andother electronic devices. Subsequently, China’s output of certain electronic components is the highest in the world, especially for commonly used and medium- and low-end electronic components.” If we look at where robots went in Chinese manufacturing, it isn’t surprising: the electrical/electronics category. There were some 88,000 units installed. But here’s something to put on your radar screen: The automotive segment was No. 2 on the installation list: approximately 62,000. And keep this one in mind: While the growth of robot installations in electrical/electronics in China was up 38%, it was up 97% in the auto sector. Clearly, durable goods is an area of focus. Living in the USA At this point, you may be starting to think simply, “Yes, they use a lot of robots in China, but I live in the United States. What’s the landscape here for robots?” The top category of industrial robot use in the United States is the one where it really began: automotive. In 2021 there were 9,782 robots installed in the U.S. auto industry, which happens to be a decrease of 7% compared with 2020 – and 2020 was down some 19% since 2019.

and while you may shrug at that, writing it off as 2020 – when COVID-19 was causing, to use Ms. Bill’s language, “supply chain disruptions” and “local or regional headwinds” on a global scale – know that the previous record was set in 2018, 423,321 units, so the trend is non-trivial and indicative of the fact that the use of the multifunctional machines is on the rise. Where Are They? Let’s set the stage, recognizing that your competitors are not necessarily down the street or across town, but likely somewhere else on Earth. The country with the largest GDP in the world is the United States. The second largest is China, which is nearing the end of the “Made in China 2025” initiative that started in 2015 in order to gain a technical advantage. So know that of the 517,385 robots installed in the world, 268,195 – more than half – were installed in China. A country where robots have long been part of the fabric of manufacturing, Japan, is in second place, at 47,182 robots.

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To be sure, there are reasons why this is the case. For example, by their very nature, robots are flexible. This means that when one vehicle goes out of production or fewer of them need to be built, the robots can be refurbished and deployed elsewhere. In fact, that is one of the beauties of robotic automation: It isn’t fixed. It can be reused. Potentially only the end-of-arm tooling is the hard equipment that needs to be changed. However, there are bright spots in the IFR numbers for the three categories that follow auto in the United States in ranking:

SelectUSA, a U.S. Department of Commerce program, conducted a study on the impact of robots on productivity, “Robots and the Economy: The Role of Automation in Driving Productivity Growth.” It found: “For all industries, there was a positive relationship between industrial robot density and productivity. An increase in industrial robot density of one percent correlated with an increase in productivity of 0.8 percent, all else equal.” This isn’t a case of robots subtracting people but of robots being additive on the factory floors. There is another finding that should be of importance to those who are part of the roughly 20% who have yet to embrace automation technology: “For the industries that were slower robot adopters, a one percent increase in industrial robot density simultaneously occurred with a 5.1 percent increase in productivity, all else equal.” As companies are looking for any productive edge, there is clearly a route to improvement through robotics – especially for those companies that have been lagging in robot deployment. Muda-Busting Going back to the IFR figures: Globally, the top three installation areas for robots (and they’ve been leading for the past three years) are: – SelectUSA, “Robots and the Economy: The Role of Automation in Driving Productivity Growth” For all industries, there was a positive relationship between industrial robot density and productivity. An increase in industrial robot density of one percent correlated with an increase in productivity of 0.8 percent, all else equal.

While robots have long been a feature of manufacturing operations in the United States, and while it might seem that they are, in many cases, a “given,” that is far from being the case. Think about the photos of robots being deployed in manufacturing that appear in mainstream publications: Almost always it’s of an automotive spot-welding line – plenty of arms and sparks galore. But “Motor vehicles, bodies and trailers, and parts” is only one of multiple segments in an analysis of U.S. manufacturing: Deployment in other industries (e.g., the aforementioned metal and machinery, plastic and chemical products, and food categories) are important opportunities. And while robots may be thought of in the context of that spot-welding line, equipment advances over the years (ease of use; simple programming; advanced sensors), make robots accessible to manufacturing facilities of all sizes. According to the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Work Survey 2020” report, 78% of companies surveyed in the United States said that they are “likely” or “very likely” to deploy robots – by 2025. Clearly, there is valuable traction occurring in those other companies of various sizes. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs To point out that there are plenty of open positions at manufacturing facilities of all sizes is to state the obvious. What’s more, managers recognize that it is important to make sure that the people on staff remain there. So, it is important to leverage existing resources. Which is essentially the point of robotic automation. Want to gain a productivity improvement? Look at robots.

If we consider Taiichi Ohno’s seven wastes of manufacturing, called “muda” – overproduction, waiting, conveyance, processing, inventory, motion, correction – the handling tasks **According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job category “Assemblers and fabricators” will have a decline of available jobs of 6% between 2021 and 2031. There is a good likelihood that automation is a factor.

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that some companies are automating addresses, in part, two of them, conveyance and motion. So that provides a productivity improvement for those companies. Who doesn’t want to eliminate waste? Reshoring, but ... While reshoring, bringing back production from overseas to the United States, is certainly a real thing, according to the 2021 Kearney Reshoring Index, which is bullish on reshoring, “79 percent of the manufacturing executives who have operations in China have either already moved part of their operations to the United States or plan to do so in the next three years. An additional 15% are evaluating similar moves.” But then the other shoe drops: 22% of CEOs, Kearney found, aren’t considering reshoring. The point is simply this: A cost-effective and long-proven means to increase productivity is the deployment of robots. The Kearney interpretation: “This difference between manufacturing executives and CEOs might indicate that those closer to the daily challenges in the supply chain evaluate different manufacturing options as they try to find short-term relief, while CEOs are looking at it from a longer-term overall company strategy perspective and are perhaps not yet convinced that reshoring is the answer.” Let’s roll back to the start. The biggest global competitor to the United States, China, is installing a significant number of robots. Robots enhance productivity. Improved productivity can lead to reduced costs and improved profits. So maybe some of that 22% are looking at these numbers and figuring where they might get the best deal. The point is simply this: A cost-effective and long-proven means to increase productivity is the deployment of robots. There is an entire suite of robotics, from padded-armed cobots that can safely work along with people to massive six-axis robots that can move 5,000 pounds more than 12 feet. The ease of use is ever-increasing. The applicability is greater than ever.

Having tools like these leverages one’s ability to be globally competitive. Take that productivity and add the logistics advantages of on-shored operations, then U.S. manufacturing can gain a considerable edge.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Gary at vasilash@gmail.com.

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AUTOMATION IN THE WORKPLACE

COLLABORATIVE ROBOTS (COBOTS) ARE DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE SAFETY & PRODUCTIVITY Source: wevolver.com/article/designing-collaborative-robots-maximizing-productivity-and-safety

Safety-Rated Monitored Stop

Hand Guiding

During the operation, a worker is in direct contact with the robot arm and can utilize hand controls to move it. This operation is used for lift assists or highly variable “tool” applications.

A safety-rated monitored stop is an assured robot stop without removing power and occurs when a human worker enters the collaborative workspace.

Speed and Separation Monitoring

Force and Torque Limitations

Slower

Stop

Speed monitoring allows the operator and robot to move simultaneously within the workplace by equipping the robot with sensors to monitor its proximity and closeness to the worker.

Limitations are required where there could be intentional or unintentional contact between a cobot (or any workpiece) and a worker when both are working in the collaborative workspace.

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Hard to Reprogram Needs Tracks/Guides Obstacle Detection Requires Fixed Routes & Infrastructure Stop/Start Function

AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLES AGVs

AMRs AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOTS

Collision Avoidance Easy To Reprogram Flexible Routes Go Anywhere ADA Multiple Providers Obstacle Detection Reconfigurable For Diverse Functions

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Constant Change Keeps IMTS Experience Fresh

1,815 EXHIBITING COMPANIES (GBM), the premier publisher for manufacturing in North America. The Automation Sector at IMTS 2024, powered by SPS – Smart Production Solutions, will feature an expansive offering of automated, robotic, connected, and digital manufacturing technologies around manufacturing processes such as AM, CNC machining, metrology, and part handling. IMTS 2024 will have even more exhibits featuring advanced motion systems, vision and imaging, data analytics, systems integration, artificial intelligence, and cloud and edge computing. The Atlanta event is an expansion of the SPS – Smart Production Solutions trade show held annually in Nuremberg, Germany. Produced by Mesago, a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, it has been Europe’s leading trade fair for digital industrial solutions since 1990. SPS 2022 attracted 44,000 visitors and featured about 1.2 million square feet of gross exhibition space and 1,000 exhibitors involved in advanced

86,307 IMTS 2022 REGISTRANTS BY PETER EELMAN CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER

Announcing the development of the Automation Sector at IMTS 2024 and SPS – Smart Production Solutions Atlanta 2025 trade show.

“Constant change” sounds like a bit of a contradiction, but it beautifully summarizes IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show. The “constant” part includes the show’s role as a preeminent resource for manufacturing technology. The “change” part comes with the evolution of leading-edge technology: visitors know that IMTS is the place to come to when they want to find new ways to change to improve their operations.

What visitors might not realize is how technology influences their show experience as well as the structure of the show itself. Changing technology brings a freshness to every IMTS experience. In some cases, technologies featured at IMTS become legendary, such as the Strati vehicle that was 3D printed live on the show floor at IMTS 2014 in the AMT Emerging Technology Center. From that watershed moment, IMTS evolved to feature an entire Additive Manufacturing (AM) Pavilion and multiple AM conferences. Expanding Automation Considered the showthat demonstratedour industry’s resiliency, IMTS 2022 will be remembered as the show of a thousand robots, cobots, and other automated solutions. Put bluntly, digital technologies are essential for fueling manufacturing growth. The old model of throwing more machines, money, and people at a problem doesn’t work anymore. As much as I dislike cliches, you really do have to work smarter. AMT is also working smarter. As part of our commitment to help manufacturers accelerate productivity and growing the U.S. manufacturing market, we are partnering with Mesago, a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading trade fair organizations, to create SPS – Smart Production Solutions Atlanta 2025, which will be held Sept. 23-25, 2025, in the Georgia World Congress Center; and the Automation Sector at IMTS 2024, which will be held Sept. 9-14 in McCormick Place, Chicago. The events, held in alternate years, will be supported by Gardner Business Media

automation solutions. As an international meeting place for the industry and representing the complete spectrum of smart and digital automation, SPS – Smart Production Solutions Atlanta 2025 will benefit from the international network already established in Germany. We will be releasing more details on the Automation Sector at IMTS 2024 and SPS – Smart Production Solutions Atlanta 2025 as we move closer to the events. We promise even more exciting changes to come – and that’s a constant you can count on. News, photos, and videos from IMTS 2022 will continue to be posted on IMTS.com. You can stay even more connected at IMTS+, our multi-media content destination. If you have any questions about this information, please contact Peter at peelman@IMTS.com.

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Trippin’ in Chicago

‘Road Trippin’ with Steve,’ Special Edition. BY MICHELLE EDMONSON VICE PRESIDENT, EXHIBITIONS

He’s got a race car, some top-notch bourbon, a camera crew, access to world-class manufacturing technology,

a distillery in downtown Chicago that’s serving up organic spirits. Housed in a former metal fabrication facility, KOVAL uses automation and machine monitoring to make their process repeatable. The result? A high-quality beverage every time, whether they’re making Chicago bourbon, coffee liquor, or cranberry gin. Steve and his team certainly liked the product and the technology behind it. Dr. Robert Birnecker and Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, the husband-and-wife team behind KOVAL, showed Steve how a small operation can guarantee consistency using big data. Distilling is a complex process with myriad variables. KOVAL’s answer to this problem was to install monitors on every piece of equipment and connect it all to a central communication system.

and a license to make mischief. Stephen LaMarca is back, and he was all over Chicago in the lead-up to IMTS 2022. Tune in for all his misadventures in the new special edition of “Road Trippin’ with Steve,” brought to you by EOS. The special two-episode series begins with Steve – and his colossal Pit Viper sunglasses – cruising around Chicago in the IMTS Rally Fighter, which now features a new wrap design. There’s plenty of engine revving, a peek under the hood, and a minor parking crisis. And a detour. There’s always a detour. After finally parking the Rally Fighter, Steve heads to KOVAL,

SAVE THE DATE FOR

SEPTEMBER 9 – 14, 2024 MCCORMICK PLACE, CHICAGO

IMTS, the largest manufacturing technology trade show in the Western Hemisphere , showcases the transformative technologies that are enabling our industry to reach new levels of productivity and profitability.

STAY UP TO DATE AT IMTS.COM

IMTS

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This way, they know what’s happening inside and outside the mash tanks at every second. If something goes wrong

Relive all of Steve’s highlights and insights in this special edition of “Road Trippin’” on IMTS+ at IMTS.com/WatchRTWSspecial. And if you missed Seasons One and Two, start your journey at IMTS.com/RTWS.

– from a change in ambient temperatures to a dip in flow rates – the distillers receive an alert. Unlike other small distilleries, KOVAL knows if there is an aberration long before the whiskey hits their lips.

For questions about IMTS+, Michelle Edmonson can be contacted at medmonson@AMTonline.org.

Targeted manufacturing viewers

Engaged audience members

Viewers with buying power and authority

Connections with industry leaders and innovators

Professional content to share on websites and social media platforms

AMERICA’S ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING EXPO

2023

2024

2025

August 28-30, 2023 Palmer Event Center Austin, TX

April 8–10, 2025 McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

September 9–14, 2024 McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

A new home for industrial additive manufacturing Formnext, produced by Mesago and held in Frankfurt, Germany, is the leading industry platform for additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing. Formnext is known as the international meeting point for the next generation of intelligent industrial AM production. Formnext Chicago is poised to be the leading North American event in industrial additive manufacturing. The new show creates one event in the United States dedicated to all aspects for additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing. Formnext Chicago will be the North American gathering place for the next generation of industrial production.

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Be a part of the only event bringing together the entire additive manufacturing ecosystem.

ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH STEVE ON WATCH ORIGINAL CONTENT LIKE

NETWORK ORIGINAL SERIES

AN

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SPECIAL CHICAGO EDITION

He’s got a race car , some top-notch bourbon, a camera crew, access to world-class manufacturing technology and a license to make mischief. Stephen LaMarca is back , and he was all over Chicago in the lead up to IMTS 2022. Tune in for all his misadventures in the new IMTS edition of Road Trippin’ with Steve , brought to you by EOS.

WATCH THE SPECIAL EDITION OF ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH STEVE ONLY ON IMTS+

MT MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

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The Art of Collaboration Coordinating the activities between automation and workers is something that requires deliberate design. BY ANDRA KEAY VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL ROBOTICS Collaborative robots – or cobots – go back to the mid-1990s, but their commercial availability became more pronounced in the mid-2000s. During the second half of that decade, the availability of these devices, which are ostensibly meant to work closely with human workers, became widespread, and the growth of the number of devices as well as their capacities and architectures increased commensurately. There are plenty of applications where cobots and humans work in proximity and harmony. In an industrial setting, cobots generally work either separately from human workers within a given space or sequentially with the worker in the space. There are strict safety protocols for cobots

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do best. A key concept behind the cobot is to work in close proximity to humans to help with those tasks. We’ve found, however, that in some instances, there is a gap between the conceivable and the actual, and it is important to be aware of this when considering the implementation of the technology. This tech is good – when done right. Implementation design can make all the difference. Design for Collaboration It is important to consider “collaborative workspaces” rather than just the robot arms. In this scenario, a work area is set up with an array of sensors. The robot – be it a cobot or a more traditional six-axis arm – is within the matrix created by the sensors. The robot can operate at optimal speeds until a human enters the area; at which point, the robot slows down in order to provide the necessary levels of safety. The collaborative workspace is also configured such that it accommodates things like heavy parts and sharp end effectors. There is another benefit to this setup that goes beyond the tasks being performed by the robot and the worker. The sensors can collect data about the operation. Consequently, there can be improvements made to the process. Or it could be that there are some quality issues that the sensors discern, which can then be used to quarantine the parts. The operation can be adjusted so those problems don’t occur again. Realize that sensors are getting not only more powerful so that they can actually perform analysis at the edge, but they are quite inexpensive, especially in the context of the information that they can provide for overall process improvement.

(notably ISO/TS 15066:2016) to protect human workers in these interactions. The cobots are fitted with a sensor suite and are either lightweight or even padded to minimize any harm that could result from an unintended intersection between the worker and the cobot. If you consider the history of industrial robots, you’ll recognize that their initial purpose was to do the work that was less desirable – working in diecasting operations or feeding stamping presses, for example. It is almost inconceivable that applications like these would revert back to manual operation. With time, robots have become far more capable, such as performing electronics assembly at a rate and with accuracy that couldn’t otherwise be done; advances in servos, sensors, and end-effectors have added dexterity to their abilities. But there are still numerous tasks that human workers with accuracy that couldn’t otherwise be done; advances in servos, sensors, and end effectors have added dexterity to their abilities. With time, robots have become far more capable, such as performing electronics assembly at a rate and

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Design the work environment for collaborative work; don’t just think of the task as getting a cobot and everything will go just fine. The AMR Advantage All of that said, one of the types of collaborative automation devices that is showing real advantages for many manufacturers is the AMR, or autonomous mobile robot. This should not be mistaken for an AGV, or automated guided vehicle. The AGV depends on things like wires or tape in or on the floor that the vehicle follows from point A to B. If there is a need to go from point A to C, then there must be something physical done (e.g., put down more tape). An AMR, however, uses sensors and computing power (in some cases AI and machine learning) in order to navigate safely through a facility. It is capable of moving around an obstacle, whether it is a piece of equipment that isn’t supposed to be where it is or a person who happens to have stopped in its path (an AGV will stop until whatever is moved). What’s more, should there be a change of route from point A to C, this is more likely to be handled by a few lines of code, not a few yards of tape or wire. The AMR provides a great advantage when there are adjustments in the workflow for a facility, as this can be effected quickly compared to the AGV alternative. Without question, going forward, there will be an increase in the number of collaborative operations with cobots and AMRs. However, in both cases, to get the greatest advantage, good workspace design – design for collaboration – is absolutely essential to gather as much information and research as possible from builders, integrators, manufacturers, and those working

within the operations. After all, it has been my experience that when multi-disciplinary teams collaborate, optimization is achieved.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Andra at akeay@AMTonline.org.