Right-sizing control and motion without compromising future flexibility
CONTROL & AUTOMATION COST OF OVER-SPECIFICATION
BECKHOFF
Right-sizing control and motion without compromising future flexibility
Sports cars are fun to drive, but that extra performance is probably not necessary if your main job is doing the school run. Machine builders often come across similar challenges when specifying automation systems. While some applications require advanced motion control and high-performance hardware, many do not. Here, Karl Walker, business development manager at automation and control specialist, Beckhoff Automation UK, explains why right-sizing automation can reduce costs and provide a stronger foundation for future growth.
Deloitte’ s 2025 Smart Manufacturing Survey found that nearly half of manufacturers rank process automation among their top investment priorities over the next two years. As customer expectations evolve, machine builders must balance performance, flexibility and cost while ensuring machines remain adaptable over their lifecycle. Increasingly, the real challenge is not pushing for maximum performance but choosing automation that keeps the machine simple today and adaptable tomorrow.
46 PECM Issue 82