Organisers behind the PPMA Show have announced a new feature to this year's visitor programme. The Manufacturing Forum, will consist of seminars presented by some of the industry's most influential packaging, processing, vision and robotics experts followed by lively and engaging debates on some of the hottest engineering and production topics affecting the sector.
Taking place at the show from 27-29 September 2011, The Manufacturing Forum forms part of the revitalised PPMA Show programme and will fully update machinery professionals on the latest topics affecting the industry including automation, machinery safety, productivity and energy efficiency. Tailored presentations will then give way to topical debates, which invoke delegate participation at every opportunity.
Organisations such as Marks and Spencer, The Packaging Society and sponsors B&R Industrial Automation Ltd are set to discuss findings that have shaped the sector in the last year and inform businesses about how to keep ahead of industry demands as Kirsty Sharpe, editor of PPMA News and producer of the Manufacturing Forum programme, explained: "The all-new Manufacturing Forum will bring an exciting dimension to the PPMA Show this year for visitors and exhibitors alike. Providing an arena where production and engineering professionals can learn the latest industry techniques in order to overcome some of manufacturing's greatest challenges, the forum will give invaluable practical advice for those looking to enhance their competitive edge in the coming year."
Commencing three days of thought-provoking discussion, Simon Griffiths, CEO of the Manufacturing Advisory Service will give an insight into how, in the face of competition from low-cost countries, higher value offerings can help companies take advantage of the global marketplace. In a talk entitled MAS Support for High Value Manufacturers, delegates will be informed on how focusing on Products, Processes and People will help them to compete with the competitive global markets and thrive overseas.
With energy efficiency a key topic that transcends every sector, it has never been more important for machinery users to ensure maximum efficiency from their machines. Manufacturing Forum sponsors B & R Industrial Automation Ltd will be leading a talk on its new motion control technology, which helps users to get the best out of their machines. Benefits delivered by the hardware and software solutions include motor-size optimisation and power regeneration. Neil Walker, Application Team Manager, will be on hand to show delegates how they can achieve success with these systems.
John Quinn from Marks & Spencer plc will then go on to discuss the use of automation and robotic solutions in the chilled ready meals sector. A technologist for the retailer's Traditional Meals, Gastropub and Bistro ranges, Quinn has encountered many solutions which are not suitable for the labour-intensive process of assembling chilled ready meals because of cost and flexibility issues. In his seminar Quinn will explain why he believes both industries need to engage in meaningful dialogue on what is exactly required to introduce flexible automation/robotics to the chilled meals industry. He will also divulge how M&S nearly automated the pea last year as well as give an insight into the criteria that M&S has shared with automation manufacturers.
Technological standards in the manufacturing industry have greatly improved over the last decade, so it is vital for end-users to understand the impact these changes have had on control standards. Laidler Associates will give a presentation on new technologies for machinery safety, with the company's experts giving an overview of the latest safety requirements and how these can be applied in order to gain machine compliance.
Following the Government's investment of £600,000 to help encourage the adoption of automation, Automation Advisory Services will be giving a topical seminar on how automation can help increase competitive edge and drive a business forward. Not only will manufacturers learn how to gain access to government funding support, they will discover how through the appropriate application of automation and robotics, they can increase productivity, and reduce energy consumption and labour turnover.
As the ability to run numerous software programmes is now an essential for machine operators, the Organisation for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC) will show users how to improve their supply chain integration and shorten the length of project cycles. John Kowal from OMAC's board of directors will draw on case studies with companies such as Nestlé and Proctor and Gamble to show professionals how they can create a common look and feel across plant floors.
Meanwhile, Richard Little from Jenton International will host an engaging and highly topical discussion on the most up-to-date Predictive Maintenance (PdM) Techniques, where a team of experts and end-users including Dr John Atkinson from C-Cubed Limited and Steve Taylor from Fluke will debate the myriad of PdM solutions to help manufacturers avoid costly breakdowns and ensure that equipment is kept in the best condition for optimum performance.
Stephan Potier from Open Automation Technologies will go on to look at how the openSAFETY protocol concept can be used with all leading Ethernet systems to provide a one-stop safety programme for manufacturers with multi-vendor machines. A single safety data communications system is a vital tool for those looking to maximise productivity and improve cycle times, and Stephan's seminar will provide advice on how this can be implemented into systems.
On the last day of the Manufacturing Forum, a panel of top-industry professionals including Chris Buxton, CEO of The PPMA Group, John Morten from Burton's Foods and Simon Beveridge from SIGA Vision will debate the competitive advantages of automation and vision technologies.
Other leading industry experts lined up to thrash out a range of issues affecting the industry include members of The Packaging Society and Mark Williamson from UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA).