A live exhibition zone featured a range of Hexagon solutions for harnessing data to improve processes, from design and engineering through to production and metrology. The zone showed how the digital and real manufacturing worlds merge in the production of tomorrow, and how smart technologies mesh seamlessly with each other.
Norbert Hanke, president of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence Division, told delegates that with politics increasingly affecting industry, there’s a need now for agility like never before.
“Manufacturers need to build a smart, resilient business model with more personalisation and better quality products,” he stated.
And smart factories are at the heart of this, being data-driven, connected and intelligent.
“Data is at the core of the digital transformation, so we need to put four types of data to work: descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive,” added Hanke. “This will improve efficiency and quality, while reducing costs, leading to sustainability. Connected data offers a new level of insight, promoting new solutions.”
He said the main aspects of the smart factory are design, engineering, quality, productivity, manufacturing and customers: “Hexagon is building ‘smart’ into all its solutions, making manufacturing smarter.”
Raf Lobato, strategic product development director for Hexagon’s Production Software business, discussed insights into UK manufacturing, and the latest innovations in smart factories.
“Changing isn’t the risk; not changing is the risk,” he said. “Hexagon is developing an ecosystem for smarter manufacturing by helping you maximise existing assets while continuing to run your businesses on a daily basis.”
Another keynote speaker, acclaimed futurist Stefan Hyttfors, looked at disruptive technologies, behavioural change, and next-generation leadership. He said manufacturers should know five things about the future: speed is key; generations are becoming new cultures, and adapting; data first – this is the core; sustainable or unsustainable – solving a problem or creating a new one; and trust will differentiate, as more people have access to technology.
Delegates also attended a number of breakout sessions with expert speakers, including financial and political journalist Daisy McAndrew, asking: “Brexit – what the hell is going on?” She explained that predictions showed a hard Brexit would pull UK manufacturing down by 10%, and a soft Brexit by 3% in the short term, but it would bounce back. “Although no deal is frightening for anyone in business, the uncertainty is worse. It’s not all doom and gloom, but there is a bumpy ride ahead.”
And Ben Morgan, from the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre showed delegates how factories of the future would utilise reconfigurable manufacturing and AI. He highlighted statistics from 2017 which showed the UK was behind other advanced nations in overall production, due in part to lower levels of digital and automation technology. Describing a ‘reconfigurable factory’ as undertaking the bespoke manufacture of products, Morgan said this could be achieved through adopting automation, evolving with new technology, becoming digitally connected, having metrology at its core, and utilising an adaptable workforce.
Delegates were particularly interested to hear that there is considerable potential for AI to play an important role in the automated inspection of parts.
