As manufacturing companies embark on net zero roadmaps to meet the Government ’ s 2050 ambitions , sustainability is higher than ever on the agenda .
Building in-house automation resource
But attracting new blood to the industry is just one part of the challenge . Developing that talent into real industry expertise that becomes a source of competitive advantage is equally important . And this is what investment in automation is really about – not just buying a robot and waiting for it to pay back in the traditional laboursaving sense but establishing automation as a core function within business models .
There are a number of benefits to building strong in-house automation capabilities . As well as reducing reliance on third parties , this approach supports staff retention and promotes innovation from the inside . Companies can identify where the opportunities lie within their own businesses , understand how automation can enhance their facilities and use it to increase their productivity levels ; something which the UK currently struggles with on the international stage ( a German worker is around 30 % an hour more productive than a UK worker ).
According to the International Federation of Robotics ’ 2022 report , robot density in the UK manufacturing industry was 111 robots per 10,000 employees in 2021 , which is very low for a Western European country SOURCE : WORLD ROBOTICS 2022
This trend is already starting to play out in industries such as automotive production and the distribution and e-commerce fulfilment sector , where high-profile businesses are reaping the rewards of building internal automation teams . As the UK adopts more robotics and automation across different facets of industry and manufacturing , our prediction is that more companies will look at establishing their own internal automation teams .
Demonstrating our sustainability credentials
As manufacturing companies embark on net zero roadmaps to meet the Government ’ s 2050 ambitions , sustainability is higher than ever on the agenda . Therefore , if automation is to play a key role in addressing the labour crisis , it needs to demonstrate that it represents a sustainable solution and can feed into net zero efforts .
In this respect , FANUC is a vanguard . We have been making our own servo drives for over 50 years and have now reached the point where we have achieved bestin-class energy efficiency . For example , our ROBOSHOT series of electric injection moulding machines uses up to 70 % less energy than hydraulic machines and up to 20 % less than other electric machines , thanks to servo technology and intelligent power regeneration capabilities .
FANUC also takes a circularity-driven approach to innovation and after-sales care in order to maximise resource use by prolonging the useful life of equipment . As a company , we operate a lifetime promise that as long as a machine is still in service , we will provide customers with original spare parts for a minimum of 25 years . As well as this long-standing commitment , our research and development team focuses on improving the lifespan of our products to reduce waste . One example is our CRX Collaborative Robot – with a heritage of nearly one million industrial robots , FANUC has designed the CRX to outlast its competition , with very minimal maintenance needed across its lifespan .
Automation systems : agents for change
Automation presents a solution to several challenges facing manufacturers today , from unskilled labour shortages and increasing product quality to waste reduction . However , realising its potential will require a serious joint commitment by the manufacturing and automation communities to build skills and nurture the next generation of engineers . Here at FANUC UK , we are determined to be a key driving force for change .
For further information , please visit www . fanuc . eu / uk / en
Issue 62 PECM 57