Industrial Automation North America 2016, co-located at IMTS from September 12-17, 2016, at McCormick Place in Chicago, will focus on intelligent solutions as a key theme. Exhibitors, including Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Phoenix Contact and Rockwell Automation, will present smart, networked systems capable of learning and exchanging information across the factory floor.
Intelligent solutions remain one of manufacturing's hottest topics. As part of the HANNOVER MESSE portfolio, Industrial Automation North America will mirror the industry-leading discussions that occurred during HANNOVER MESSE 2016, where the U.S. was selected as this year's partner country. Themes at both events focus on intelligent technology to unite manufacturing operations as well as support of Industry 4.0/integrated industry and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Smart Systems Emphasize Value of Data and Security
As manufacturers wrestle with options for connecting systems, there's agreement on two key issues: the business advantages of using integrated data and the importance of security.
"Production equipment is at the heart of any manufacturing business, but information and planning are the nerve center," said a Mitsubishi Electric spokesperson. "Today's technologies make it simple to connect real-time production data to enterprise planning systems. This allows for quicker business decisions and better foresight into potential failures."
"Today's auto-manufacturing plants must be flexible to produce multiple vehicles in multiple variations all on a single line," said Ed Johnston, North America Industry Manager for Automotive and Tire, Rockwell Automation. "An enterprise-wide, IP-centric infrastructure and a responsive, truly connected enterprise that enables secure information exchange from the plant floor, to business systems and on to the supply chain, is vital."
Once connected, manufacturers must also consider how to protect valuable data. "The key now is to ensure that you are getting that critical data to the enterprise systems in the most secure manner possible, while making certain that the automation and process control networks are properly protected," said Dan Schaffer, Business Development Manager, Networking & Security, Phoenix Contact USA. "The same path used to get data out can be compromised to let the bad guys in. The companies that are most successful in walking the tightrope between security and availability of data will be the ones who are most successful in the IIoT landscape."
Smart Systems in Action at Industrial Automation North America
To achieve the successful balance of smart and secure solutions, show attendees will be able to see intelligent solutions in action, including:
- Phoenix Contact will show its recently released TC mGuard devices, which leverage cellular networks, such as Verizon and AT&T, to provide secure remote communications wherever a wired connection is not possible. It meets the demand for remote maintenance and secure supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) in today's connected industrial world.
- Mitsubishi Electric will demonstrate connected factory automation products working together to supply a complete solution from raw product being supplied to finished goods shipping to a customer. The demonstration includes movement between a manufacturing cell, warehousing cell and a packaging cell without an operator, as well as information transmittal to upper management for planning.
- Rockwell Automation will showcase how manufacturers can optimize its operations in a connected enterprise with dynamic displays for automotive and discrete manufacturing, including powertrain, integrated safety and motion and remote monitoring.
In addition to intelligent solutions, the 2016 trade fair features innovative developments in robot-assisted production and process and building automation.
"The high interest in this trade show underscores the excitement about intelligent solutions," said Larry Turner, President/CEO of Hannover Fairs USA, a subsidiary of Deutsche Messe, the organizer of HANNOVER MESSE. "Industrial Automation North America offers a one-stop event to learn about this fast-changing technology."
According to surveys conducted in 2014 at IMTS, Industrial Automation North America and MDA North America indicated that 86 percent of visitors found solutions to specific manufacturing problems, 85 percent planned to make a purchase within one year and 64 percent initiated new business contacts.
For more information, visit http://industrialtechnology.events/.