Factory automation and injection moulding specialist FANUC UK is offering visitors to Plastics Live 2022 a unique opportunity to experience an all-access, behind the scenes tour of its UK headquarters, including its newly launched in-house Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) facility. Located just a few minutes from the Coventry Building Society Arena and accessed via a complimentary shuttle bus departing every hour, the tour of FANUC’s HQ will also feature visits of the company’s workshop and demonstration area. Meanwhile, at the event itself, FANUC will co-locate on Stand B13 with its plastics strategic partner and systems integrator, Hi-Tech Automation. The two companies are set to showcase the CRX-10iA collaborative robot and the LR-MATE – FANUC’s most dextrous 6-axis robot – which will simulate tending an injection moulding machine.
Launched in June 2022, FANUC’s dedicated FAT unit will be open to the public for the first time ever during Plastics Live. Constructed using ultra-hygienic cleanroom materials and encompassing a total area of more than 200m2, the facility was developed in response to increasing customer demand for FANUC’s process validation and robotics integration expertise.
“As a result of growing global supply chain issues, we noticed that many of our customers are bringing their manufacturing processes back to the UK, after years of relying on production capabilities in the Far East, Asia or Eastern Europe,” says Dave Raine, FANUC’s ROBOSHOT Manager for the UK & Ireland, who will be participating in the ‘Big 5’ panel discussion on day two of the show. “However, after offshoring their manufacturing for so long, many have not managed to retain members of staff with the process validation, project management, technical compliance and robotics integrations skills required to complete in-house Factory Acceptance Testing when purchasing a new injection moulding machine. This is only being compounded by the post-Covid labour crisis currently facing the sector. Without the required skill set, plastics manufacturers run the risk of prolonged downtime and incorrectly specified machinery, both of which can seriously impact their bottom line. In response, we have developed our own, dedicated on-site FAT facility specifically for our injection moulding clients. Here, they can take advantage of our best-in-class validation and certification expertise, safe in the knowledge that their machine will operate exactly as required, and to the necessary industry standards, from the moment it is delivered to their factory.”
With a free shuttle bus departing every hour from Plastics Live to FANUC’s Coventry HQ, visitors can also take advantage of the chance to see equipment being built, thanks to an all-access pass to the company’s workshop area. In addition, the tour will feature live demonstrations of key injection moulding machines, including the all-electric ROBOSHOT range, and FANUC’s industry leading automation solutions.
One such example is the CRX-10iA cobot, which will also simulate tending a ROBOSHOT injection moulding machine in collaboration with the LR-MATE live on stand B13 at Plastics Live. Supported by FANUC’s key system integrator partner Hi-Tech Automation, representatives from the two companies will be on hand to share with visitors how easily customisable the robotic solutions are, and the various configurations available to plastics manufacturers.
To book your FREE tour of FANUC’s HQ including transport to and from Plastics Live, contact brooke.tarrant@fanuc.eu or visit stand B13, Plastics Live 2022, 5-6 July, Coventry Building Society Arena.
