Category: Trends & Technology

SME manufacturers, supported by Made Smarter, have embraced a new approach to leadership during the coronavirus crisis. Forced to close or reduce operations in factories and offices, owners and senior managers involved in the North West digital technology adoption pilot faced their toughest test as they figured out how to restart, reassure their uncertain workforce […]

One of the most promising uses of hydrogen fuel cells is in the automotive industry. A number of major industry players, including BMW and Toyota, have already revealed plans to develop fleets of hydrogen-powered cars as the fuel source offers an additional, sustainable solution to electric power. But there are many applications beyond cars that […]

HyveTM an autonomous, modular robot platform stands head-and-shoulders above the competition and helps accelerate chemical balance testing in shampoo Multiple deployments expected in factories by the end of 2020 The use of industrial robots in the UK is the same level as the global average, shown by the figure of 85 robots per 10,000 workers […]

Industry-led government-backed movement needed more than ever to help businesses maintain their competitive edge and come back smarter post Covid-19 – says Donna Edwards Made Smarter, the movement helping SMEs join the Industry 4.0 revolution, has reached a major milestone having now funded more than 100 businesses. The North West technology adoption pilot is working […]

The energy cost to run an electric motor over ten years is at least 30 times the original purchase price. With energy consumption responsible for the vast majority of whole life costs, Marek Lukaszczyk of motor and drive manufacturer, WEG, explains three ways to improve motor energy efficiency. Straightforward motor upgrades Many electric motors in […]

Around 200 engineers and technicians attend each session Siemens Digital Industries is running daily ‘#TechTalks’ during Covid-19 to help clients get the most from Siemens products and solutions, maximise uptime, save energy and manage their systems remotely.  The 45-minute interactive webinars focus on a range of topics covering technologies in manufacturing. Each bitesize talk is […]

The world’s first vision inspection product now available to industrial automation vendors ~ Industrial automation vendors have historically been blocked from accessing the visual inspection market because of its complex solution requirements, but German-Israeli start up Inspekto has changed this state of affairs. Inspekto’s Plug and Inspect technology drives its off-the-shelf vision product, the Inspekto […]

Robotics and automation help North West SMEs cope with staff shortages and increased demand Businesses using 3D printing to make PPE and ventilator parts for NHS and care homes SME manufacturers supported by Made Smarter are using emerging technologies to navigate the impact on business from the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses signed up to the North […]

A TruPrint 3000 metal additive manufacturing (AM) system from TRUMPF has been acquired by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). Installed within the MTC’s National Centre of Additive Manufacturing (NCAM), this advanced machine, which is based on laser metal fusion (LMF) technology, forms a key part of the NCAM capability. Established in 2010, the Coventry-based MTC […]