Helping Machines Work Together

Implementing automation strategies is a good way to add productivity to the shop floor. It often contributes to less scrap and can minimize operator involvement. Many shops benefit from lights-out operations that are impossible without certain levels of automation.

As shops of all sizes look for better efficiency, a deeper investment into automation can sow the seeds for higher output and quality that meets the ever growing demands of customers. Varying degrees of automation provide a range of options to match what a shop needs with what it can afford. But higher production demands and advancing technology have made higher-end automation commonplace, even in small shops. Read “Technology Advances Automation Trends” for a look at the three levels of automation that are available for turning shops to bring material to the machine tool.

Shops are often faced with complex machining challenges, time-intensive processes and relentless economic realities that require them to drive down part and product costs. But by bringing together the right tools, they can still achieve exceptional results. Read “Communication among Workcell Components” to learn about a software-based communications tool that seamlessly automates the process for these tools to interact and exchange information.