On Thursday, manufacturers from 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 show was attended by approximately 150 people who had the opportunity to explore robots, lasers, and virtual reality technologies. They also learned about machine vision, cyber security, and augmented reality. Success stories of these technologies in practice were shared with attendees.
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 highlighted that automation solutions are not just limited to expensive robotic platforms but can also include cost-effective tools that can significantly improve productivity. Rich Hobbs, President of the MRC, emphasized that even solutions as low as $1000 can have a major impact on a manufacturer’s efficiency and productivity.