On Thursday, manufacturers from across the region gathered in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County to witness advanced automated technology in action. The Automation and Manufacturing Technology Show, hosted by the Manufacturers Resource Center, aimed to highlight the importance of automation for manufacturers.
The event attracted approximately 150 attendees who had the opportunity to explore robots, lasers, and virtual reality technologies. Rich Hobbs, President of the MRC, emphasized the need for manufacturers to have access to automation technologies. He highlighted that even solutions as low as $1000 can have a major impact on a manufacturer’s efficiency and productivity.
Vendors like Austin Hooper from Applied Control showcased technologies like the universal robot UR20 palletizer and camera systems using artificial intelligence for inspection applications. With the ongoing challenge of labor supply in the manufacturing industry, interest in automation technology has increased. Jason James from Brentwood Industries expressed interest in how robots are being used in insert molding in the plastics industry.
The show also highlighted that automation solutions are not just limited to expensive robotic platforms but can also include cost-effective tools that can significantly improve productivity. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about machine vision, cyber security, and augmented reality, as well as hear success stories of these technologies in practice.