In a bid to address the ongoing manufacturing labour crisis, FANUC UK is uniting a collective of automation experts, bringing together more than 30 leading names from across the automation and robotics industry to debate and discuss the most pressing issues facing the manufacturing sector today. Giving visitors a behind-the-scenes, all-access pass to its cutting-edge automation facility, FANUC UK will open the doors to its Coventry HQ on 2-4 November 2022. The event will also feature live robot demonstrations and hands-on robot training and will showcase the next generation of industrial robotics talent, offering visitors the chance to pit their skills against this and previous years’ WorldSkills UK finalists.
Debate and insight from automation experts
Thought leaders from FANUC UK – including MD Tom Bouchier and new Head of Sales Oliver Selby – will be joined by renowned automation experts such as Phil Hadfield from Rockwell Automation and representatives from FANUC’s system integration partners. The Open House morning sessions will feature a series of free talks, panel discussions and interviews with automation leaders keen to share their experiences and highlight the many real-world benefits that robotics and automation can deliver to UK manufacturers.
Shining a spotlight on the latest developments in industrial automation, they will reveal how robots can help manufacturers address the current labour crisis, boost productivity and improve quality and consistency. Sessions on digital transformation, upskilling and cobots will be accompanied by debates on harnessing the power of partnerships and investing in apprentices, among many other hot topics. Visitors can also speak directly to industrial automation experts from FANUC and its partners, gleaning valuable support to help them on their own digital transformation journey.
“Historically, UK manufacturers have been slower to the robotics revolution than their international counterparts, but the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has revealed that the UK is now one of the top 15 countries for annual installations of industrial robots, with figures rising by 8% in 2020,” says FANUC UK’s Head of Sales, Oliver Selby. “Partly as a result of labour shortages prompted by Brexit and the pandemic, demand for robots in the UK is expected to grow further. We look forward to showcasing the benefits that automation can bring, providing real-world insight into the key issues facing the manufacturing sector and addressing any lingering concerns that manufacturers may have.”
Live robot demonstrations
Each afternoon will be given over to live demonstrations and training, with more than 25 leading robotics and system integrator companies – including Rockwell Automation, Mazak, Mitutoyo, Bauromat, Mills CNC, Mollart, Nikken and Robopod – exhibiting at the Open House event, showcasing their knowledge, expertise and latest innovations.
Demonstrations of key FANUC systems, such as the CRX cobot range and the ROBOSHOT plastic injection moulding machine, will also take place each day, and visitors can even watch a replica World Cup trophy being made by the ROBODRILL vertical machining centre.
Training and education
With education at the heart of the event, FANUC Academy taster sessions will also be available for visitors to enjoy, delivering free hands-on robot training. In addition, the Open House will offer visitors the chance to pit their skills against this and previous years’ finalists of the WorldSkills UK for industrial robotics. A partnership between employers, education and governments, WorldSkills uses international best practice to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education to benefit both young people and employers.
FANUC UK Managing Director Tom Bouchier says: “As a proud global industry partner of WorldSkills, FANUC has jointly promoted the competition to budding young robot developers. Visitors to our Open House can see if they have what it takes to enter the next cycle by carrying out the exact robotics programming task that was set for the qualifying round, and our superb young finalists will be on hand to offer their support. We look forward to showcasing the benefits of investing in the next generation and celebrating all the entrants’ hard work this November.”
To register your interest in attending the FANUC Annual Open House (2-4 November 2022, Ansty Park, Coventry), go to https://ukopenhouse.fanuc.eu
