Free robot training at MACH
April 1st 2006

The British Automation and Robotics Association has a significant presence at MACH 2006 at the NEC. The BARA village has moved into the main hall and is a key feature of the show.

Exhibits from major robot suppliers will be complemented by a handson training section. Visitors can book in for a free half hour hands-on training session on any one of three different robots. The aim of this is to demonstrate the ease with which simple tasks can be programmed

With a robot generally costing a fraction of the amount of a machine tool, the fact that it can increase productivity by changing parts faster and by allowing machines to be run into or through the night can give huge financial payback. To book one of these sessions contact Alison Hargreaves on 02476 573742.

Over the last two years since the last MACH show the robot industry in the UK has seen a number of changes. With the automotive industry being fairly quiet it has seen an increase in market share from a number of different industries. The pharmac- euticals industry has started to invest heavily in robotics both for production purposes and also automation of repetitive laboratory operations.

The building products industry has also discovered robotics with heavy use of the parallelogram linkage palletising robots for end of line activities. Plastic moulding has also seen a comeback with six axis robots being used for not just loading of inserts and but also a host of other value adding operations.