‘Automation is an important element in all manufacturing operations’
Published on : Wednesday 22-01-2020
Jhankar Dutta, Managing Director, B&R Industrial Automation Pvt Ltd.
What are the leading trends in factory/process automation segment the industry is likely to witness?
Players in factory and process automation have either already embarked on their digital transformation journey or are planning their next steps. Factories and plants are consistently looking to improve efficiencies, productivity, enhance and optimise operations, reduce waste and thus improve profitability. These market needs are acting as enablers for advanced automation technologies such as virtualisation, digital twin, predictive maintenance, energy and condition monitoring, process data acquisition, mass customisation, edge computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, business intelligence amongst others. In addition, the need for horizontal and vertical connectivity is driving the need for open communication technologies such as OPC UA, OPC UA over TSN, MQTT, Ethernet POWERLINK and openSAFETY.
Is the formal education sector prepared for digital leap in terms of skills required?
Today, technology evolves rapidly. However, our education system has not undergone such drastic changes. There is a huge gap between knowledge gained by students after passing out of colleges and requirements of industry. I would recommend that it is essential for institutions and industry to work together in order to prepare an updated curriculum. It is also essential for professors to consistently keep them updated with latest trends and technologies. B&R Education Network is a program to promote cooperation between technical training centres, colleges, universities and B&R. Automation is an important element in all manufacturing operations and industry expects new recruits to have basic skills in this technology. Moreover, in the era of industrial IoT and industry 4.0, the evolution of technology is so rapid, engineering curriculum struggles to keep pace. B&R Education Network is a well-structured program of collaboration to improve the employability of engineering graduates.
The sale of industrial robots witnessed a rising trend in India. Will this impact the job market?
Usage of robotics in lines, factories has doubled and is further expected to exponentially rise in coming years. Collaborative robots too are being extensively deployed in lines and factories. This is thus helping organisations to improve throughput, efficiencies at higher quality. With digitalisation and robotics there will be need for new skill sets and there could be existing skillsets which might not be needed. Thus, reskilling of existing work force is of utmost importance. B&R is consistently working towards reskilling of various personnel on the shop floors from various departments such as production, maintenance, operators via various means like classroom training, on-site shop floor training, effective maintenance practices, conferences and events.
Are SMEs keeping pace with their larger counterparts in digitalisation?
SMEs form a prominent part of our Indian manufacturing ecosystem. However, event today some SMEs are still cautious in their approach toward embracing such new advanced technologies. As B&R, we closely work with many Indian SMEs and MSMEs enabling them understand the available spectrum of technologies in the market, optimising various solutions, which meets their needs, thus, helping them satisfy their customers’ demands. It is important to understand that it is not necessary to implement all new technologies available. It is necessary to identify gaps and use new technologies and solutions to bridge these gaps. Today, we are seeing many SMEs working towards learning market trends and understanding new solutions enabling them to become competitive globally.
What are the new products/developments expected from your company in 2020.
B&R is an innovative company and a technology leader. Perfection in Automation also means we put all of our knowledge and creativity into developing products that become trendsetting innovations. At B&R, this means offering our customers a complete automation solution that provides maximum flexibility and economic efficiency. From customised products to large-scale series production, meeting our customers' needs is our main focus. Every year we bring innovations to the market enabling our customers to gain a technology edge over their competition. This year too we have various new products and technologies, which we unveiled at the recently concluded SPS show in Germany. Integrated machine vision, Machine-Centric Robotics, Next generation Industrial product transport technology – ACOPOStrak, Industrial communication – OPC UA over TSN, advanced controllers for cloud connectivity for Mobile automation and off-highway equipment can just be stated as being the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Innovation from B&R for 2020.
Jhankar Dutta is a remarkable and enthusiastic Industrial Automation professional with 18 years of experience with world's leading automation companies. For Jhahkar, automation is a passion. Having experienced an amazing journey in different terrains of automation platforms and business roles, he is a unique automation professional who believes human sensibilities can't be replaced with automation!