FACE TO FACE
The Sheet Metal Innovation Fair at AGIC .
help it meet its social responsibility targets ( such as compensating for the lack of skilled workers etc ). An integrated camera with facial recognition authorises users to operate a machine ( for operator safety reasons , to set access levels and to log operator use ). It can give users a CO₂ report for an individual machine and features 15 different languages , applying native language settings to recognised individual users . Facial recognition can be turned on and off .
“ There is a range of maintenance and set-up tutorials built into the control . If an operator is informed by the machine that the lens needs cleaning on a laser , the tutorial will highlight the steps needed to do that . They can scan a QR code on their iPhone and it will transfer that video to their phone if they need to move around the shop floor . This new fourthgeneration control meets our ‘ 4e ’ target : easy to use ; efficient / faster to use ; environmentally sustainable and an evolutionary step for customers ,” highlighted Matt Wood .
A personalised experience
It shows customers that we are looking long term : it is not just about what the market needs today
the customer has bought from AMADA . It really personalises the experience for our customers ,” outlined Matt Wood .
Customer QR codes can also be scanned at the Sheet Metal Innovation Fair at AGIC . For the last 35 years , AMADA has shown and shared best practice for sheet-metal part production or showcased customers who make unusual or complex products .
“ This year , there is a female suit of armour on show ( along with food hoppers , mini car models etc .). On the walls are previous winners of the competition . We received roughly 300 submissions for this year ’ s government-recognised engineering competition ( from AMADA customers ),” confirmed Matt Wood .
AMADA also invites its customers to share its vision of the future and join it on its journey . ISMR watched an impressive , immersive video experience which also plays in the ‘ Future Vision ’ room at AGIC .
“ This video explains to customers how we have adapted over the last 15-20 years and how much things have changed ( i . e . networking , smaller batch sizes etc .). It also invites them to think about where we are going to be in 30 years ’ time . This is quite hard to do , bearing in mind how much the sheetmetal market has changed just in the last 10-12 years ,” Matt Wood explained .
“ The Future Vision room tries to give an idea of how the future might look . It shows customers that we are looking long term : it is not just about what the market needs today . We all need to be at the forefront of developments . What do we need to start doing now to make sure that we are ready for these huge changes that may be coming ? How should we position ourselves ?” he continued .
The challenges of future processing
AGIC is equipped with a diverse range of environments and functions . This includes the Innovation LABO , which is a laboratory space specifically for customers , and the Innovation SITE , where AMADA customers can experience and interact with over 90 models of its latest machine and technology products . This location also includes the ‘ Engineering Field ’, showcasing AMADA initiatives with the
AGIC has also been designed to offer a personalised customer experience . This starts in the reception area , with videos illustrating how customers ’ feedback is vital to AMADA ’ s ongoing technology development cycles and new product launches . Customers are given a lanyard with their own QR code . This is scanned to log their interest in any machines , systems or technologies displayed at AGIC so that further information can be sent to them later ( depending upon their preferences ).
“ The ‘ Engineering Field ’ in AGIC examines the history of a machine and discusses the evolution of the control side , software and the move into IoT . Once a customer ’ s QR code is scanned , it immediately begins displaying a list of all the machines / technology that
Innovation LABO .
92 | ismr . net | ISMR October 2023