August 17 - 18: Next-Generation Collaborative Robots and Automation Technologies Automotive Manufacturing 2016

Next week, August 17-18, in Detroit, MI, will launch the first-of-its-kind fully OEM led conference, delivering OEM case studies and practical experiences to assess the commercial application, integration, and benefits of innovative collaborative robotic technologies.

The event will showcase the very latest high-tech, cutting edge automation and collaborative robotic technologies to increase production efficiencies, reduce errors, and increase manufacturing throughput and productivity.

The range of practical real-world OEM case studies allow for a greater focus on next-generation robotics. The experience of deployment on assembly lines, safety considerations, and the manner in which robots are improving manufacturing efficiency transcend the initial ROI consideration of robots.

The event will provide state-of-the-art technology exhibitions focusing on high-tech, cutting edge automation solutions. Automotive manufacturers have the chance to hear the latest results on innovative technologies that are pushing the barrier, increasing efficiencies, reducing errors, and maximize manufacturing profitability.

The new trends, like Error Proofing and Vision Detection will be reviewed and specifically address how to use the visual world to verify that the job is getting done and avoid errors when transferring from one process to the next. The agenda for the event is information-rich. During the first day of the event there will be a rather comprehensive discussion about the impact of new robotics on efficiency, cost, and profitability.

Speakers will look at the future implications of collaborative robotics advancement and review how OEMs are safely implementing automation technologies that improve the speed and efficiency of manufacturing. There will be a review of the rationale for automation clarifying whether safety or reduced head-count is the real objective.

By using real-world examples, attendees will learn how other companies are automating manufacturing assemblies and how is it impacting production. Similarly there will be an examination of innovative assembly and joining techniques implemented to improve existing processes as well as reviewing new materials that are being introduced and their impact on production.

The efficacy of these robotics solutions will then be evaluated by comparing execution strategies to benchmarks, what works best as a low cost solution, as well as review the differences in the same applications to determine the effectiveness and methods of best practice.

David Gravel, Technical Specialist, Ford Motor Company, Steven Eakins, Manufacturing Engineer, ?Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Marty Smets, Ergonomics Engineer, Ford Motor Company will be discussing whether it is possible to collectively improve efficiency, speed, and safety without exponentially increasing costs.

Other topics at the event will include:

Automation safety standards: approaches to comply with different safety standards across continents with Troy Uahiniui, Assistant Project Manager, Production Engineering, Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America; Joseph Falco, Mechanical Engineer, Intelligent Systems Division, NIST; Doyle Waller, Robotics Technician, Nissan North America; Phil Callihan, Director- Strategic Projects & MIS, National Center for Manufacturing Sciences

Achieving truly flexible Body In White manufacturing solutions requires a multifaceted development method that addresses all critical drivers in contrast with one another instead of traditional "silo" methods. Velibor Kilibarda, Director of Global Products and Strategy Development, Comau LLC will share:

Product compatibility: Vehicle size, architectures, materials, joining technologies, Production volumes and mix will determine Flexibility methods
Flexible Tooling: Tool flexibility (Mainlines and Subs) is a prerequisite for all other segments to achieve any significant levels of BIW flexibility
Flexible Logistics: Enables greater body shop flexibility, but if not well integrated with tools and conveyors will become a major hindrance
Flexible Conveyance: (Parts & assemblies) must evolve from a "single piece-known architecture", into "architecture independent" flexible BIW methods
Flexible Manufacturing Management recognizes increased complexity of: multi-model, random-mix, diverse materials with new Joining technologies and embraces use of new, intuitive, technologically advanced methods for improving overall Body shop: productivity, maintainability and quality
Role of emerging manufacturing technologies such as collaborative robotics, connected manufacturing, and virtual commissioning

To read the entire agenda go to: http://www.next-generation-automotive-automation.com/3/agenda/23/agenda/

Media at the event will include Automation.com, The Manufacturers, Robotics & Automation News, Robotics Magazine, Automotive Technology, Robotics Tomorrow, Manufacturing Tomorrow, Machine Building, Prototype Today, Automotive Industries, Robohub, CIO Review, and others. Thomas R. Cutler is the President & CEO of Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based, TR Cutler, Inc., (www.trcutlerinc.com) Cutler is the founder of the Manufacturing Media Consortium including more than 6000 journalists, editors, and economists writing about trends in manufacturing, industry, material handling, and process improvement. Cutler authors more than 500 feature articles annually regarding the manufacturing sector and is the most published freelance industrial journalist worldwide. Cutler can be contacted at trcutler@trcutlerinc.com and can be followed on Twitter @ThomasRCutler. See More Details.