Page 12 - Automated Issue 11

ISSUE 11

Placing the UK at the

forefront of innovation

In an exclusive interview Selka: Mass customisation is beginning to become a
for AUTOMATED, reality and that is affecting production techniques.
Jonathan Wilkins, Though it is not a new concept, we are now much
marketing director of EU closer to it being viable and cost-effective.
Automation, talks to Since the 1960s, we’ve experienced increased
James Selka, chief digitalisation, but a recent shift to connected
executive officer of the manufacturing has broadened the use of
Manufacturing machine-to-machine and enterprise-to-enterprise
Technologies Association (MTA), which communication. This connectivity has allowed
provides a broad range of services to its business models to become more efficient and
members who are developing manufacturing profitable. For example, we can now use ‘digital twins’
technologies and production methods. to simulate factory floors in order to optimise real
world facilities.
AUTOMATED: Can you give me some background
on the MTA and its aims? We’ve also seen trends in smart materials, where
Selka: The MTA is the trade body that represents composites and other materials are used to create
companies in the manufacturing technologies sector. smart structures with sensors, connectivity and
This includes manufacturers and designers of machine reactivity embedded within them.
tools, embedded software, additive manufacturing
technology, measuring equipment and software, AUTOMATED: What major changes have you seen in
smart tools and materials. Within our membership the manufacturing industry over the last five years?
base is everything you need to equip the most Selka: Requirements from customers have pushed the
advanced factory. industry towards a servitised model. Instead of being
a product-based interaction, it has become more
Our primary aim is to help our members do more about offering capability and capacity to solve a
business, but we also act as their voice, be it to customer’s problem and provide a turnkey solution.
government or internationally. One important way This can include robots, tooling, software, inspection
that we help our members do more is in running the and more. It is challenge to some old ways of working
UK’s biggest industrial trade show for the sector — but it’s also proving a big opportunity for companies
MACH. This show is unique in the UK and has all the that can focus on the customer.
technology needed for cutting and forming metal and
3D manufacturing. Where these technologies may be Brexit could impact the future for our members and
hidden at other automation trade shows, MACH there is some nervousness around long term
brings them to the forefront. investment, understandable given how unclear the
situation is. However, investments in the UK from
AUTOMATED: Have you noticed any common companies like Boeing, Maclaren, Airbus, JLR and
manufacturing trends over the last five years? Nissan demonstrate long term confidence in the UK’s

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