MARCH 202519 APACAPACCXOINSIGHTSA VISION FOR THE FUTURE: AUTOMATION, ROBOTICS, AND THE SMART FACTORYBY JOE TILLI, STATE INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SALES MANAGER, LAWRENCE & HANSONIn an exclusive interview with Applied Technology Review APAC, he shared his invaluable insights on the role of smart automation in the industry and the ensuing challenges. JOURNEY IN AUTOMATION I have extensive experience working with major OEMs and end users. The automation sector plays a significant role in industries like food and beverage manufacturing, where companies such as Coca-Cola, Goodman Fielder (which produces much of Australia's bread), and Kraft Foods heavily rely on automation.When I started in 1988­89, automation was not widely adopted. It was almost a foreign concept. Most manufacturing processes were manual, with tasks divided among multiple workers. For example, on a production line, one person might move a box, another would check its size, and so on.However, by the mid-2000s, automation became a game-changer, making factory operations more efficient and cost-effective. Instead of needing 15 people on a line, automation reduced the requirement to just two or three, significantly improving productivity.Over the past 20 years, automation has continued to grow, and today, robotics is a major part of the industry. While robots are highly efficient--performing repetitive tasks without fatigue--they require significant space, which can be a limitation. Pick-and-place robots, for instance, can replace human labor by quickly and precisely moving parts from one section to another, operating seamlessly within programmed parameters.As for my career, I started as an electronics technician before transitioning into electronics surveying. In 2000, I moved into automation technical sales, where I have remained ever since.THE RISE OF JUST-IN-TIME MANUFACTURING IN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATIONOne of the key trends in the industrial automation space today is the widespread adoption of Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing by large companies. When developing a new product, companies typically go through several stages--engineering, design, CAD modeling, and prototyping. Before full-scale production begins, they test the system on a smaller scale to ensure it functions properly. The primary goals for these companies are increased product output, lower operational costs, minimal maintenance, and advanced fault detection. Automation plays a key role in achieving these objectives.For example, consider a production line that stacks boxes of books. If an error occurs--such as an empty box making it through the line--an automated system can detect the issue, stop the process, and send a report to a central operator interface. This interface provides real-time data on production efficiency, highlighting losses, gains, and overall performance.Ultimately, companies seek low-maintenance, high-output, and cost-effective automation solutions that improve efficiency and reduce manual intervention.SMART AUTOMATION FOR AUGMENTING EFFICIENCY Modern factory automation centers on a wireless hub that integrates Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). A programmer configures these PLCs with input and output instructions, enabling them to control machinery down to the millisecond. All data from these systems is sent back to a single hub, which can be monitored by a maintenance manager, a project design team, or other overseeing personnel. Smart technology enhances efficiency, particularly through variable speed drives (VSDs), which control conveyor belt motors. Most factories have 10 to 20 Joe Tilli strongly believes in automation and its evolving concept of smarter electronics with higher temperature ratings and extended life cycles. He utilizes advanced automation technology to monitor and enhance various industrial processes.Joe Tilli
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