FABTECH 2021 a showplace for pandemic’s lasting effects on manufacturing

Parker Smith, Mira Labs Reality with Amada Press Systems showed how the company's virtual reality tools allow stampers to perform some tasks remotely. Watch the video below.

FABTECH 2021 was a first in many ways. It was the inaugural September event, which meant mild fall weather and no coats. It was the first show in which the wearing of nose and mouth coverings were required to attend and exhibit. It was also the first time the tradeshow was held two consecutive years in Chicago, without a show in an alternating city in between.

COVID-19 showed its impact on FABTECH in multiple ways. Yes, there were fewer attendees and exhibitors—more than 24,000 attendees this year, slightly more than half of those who attended in 2019. But, presumably, hopefully, FABTECH will resume in full colors next year and the years after once the pandemic has been mitigated.

The pandemic impact’s long-lasting effects may be more deeply visible in the way manufacturers and stampers have learned to conduct operations and customer/vendor relationships. Now that metal formers and fabricators have been able operate and communicate remotely and without a physical presence in many cases, products and features have been developed for work to continue that way. In addition, robotic technology has been developed and applied to bridging the skilled workforce gap, experienced even more deeply during the pandemic.

Virtual, Extended, Augmented Reality Make Their Way on the Plant Floor

Several press manufacturers have partnered with extended or augmented reality developers to offer the technology for their presses.

Mitchell Warren, Elm Park Labs with Simpac America demonstrated how the press OEM’s new extended reality XR tool allows stampers to view, in great detail, the inside workings of a press remotely to facilitate diagnostics for maintenance and repair. It also allows them to position their presses virtually to find the optimal location for it without moving a multi-ton piece of equipment.

Parker Smith, Mira Labs Reality with Amada Press Systems, explained how the press company’s new augmented reality systems allows stampers to work remotely through the headset connected to an iPhone. It allows them to transfer tribal knowledge from experts to front-line technicians and engineers. Schematics and blueprints can be transferred to the headset and a laptop for analysis.

Robots and Cobots Simplify Programming

Robotic technology has been developed and applied to bridging the skilled workforce gap, experienced even more deeply during the pandemic.

Pax Alvarez, TRUMPF introduced the OEM’s TruArc 1000 intended to help fill the void of skilled welders. The automated welding machine uses a collaborative robot to simplify programming. The operator or welder just drags the robot to where it should start and stop the weld.

Tom Fuhlbrigge, Scalable Robotics with ABB demonstrated how the company’s software interfaces with robotic welding cells to allow the welder to program and operate the welding cell without special programming skills. The welder shows the robot where the welds should be done, just like teaching a person, he said.

Automation in Laser Tech Reduces Manual Handling

Automation and virtualization made inroads in laser technology, as demonstrated at several booths.

Nathan Harris, Jenoptik Automotive North America highlighted the optical technology company’s laser processing, automation, and metrology product lines in addition to its liDAR and optoelectronic systems at FABTECH 2021. As Harris explains it, the company works with its customers to bridge the gap between technology and the plant floor.

Debra Schug, FANUC America, demonstrated the laser technology company’s Visual Twin, a virtualized CNC reproducing real-world cutting using real kinematics of the machine tool.

Mike Morissette, TRUMPF described the machine tool OEM’s new TruMatic 3000 3 kW fiber laser machine that can cut up to ¼-in. material. It is equipped with a SortMaster Compact which removes the material automatically.

Lubricant Application, Recovery Gets Techy

Flooding stamping presses and dies unmanaged is a practice of the past. Managed lubricant systems that apply lubricant precisely where it's needed, in precise doses, and reclaim and recirculate the fluids for maximum usage and minimal mess are today's technology.

Bill Groves, JET-SET hydraulic spray lubrication systems, introduced the company’s Mix Master mini system. The portable system mixes the lubricant with water at the correct dosing settings with sensored readings of correct fill. Agitator keeps the liquid mixed so the lubrication is ready on demand.

Troy Turnbull, Industrial Innovations, touted the company’s new ReClaim Pro 5 press side die lubricant reclamation system. It reclaims dirty die lubricant instead of letting it spill on the floor, creating hazards and wasting money, thereby promoting a clean, green environment.

Software Supports Early Feasibility

Don Hahn, Autoform Engineering described the software company’s new assembly module for body-in-white assembly. The software supports early feasibility, such as spotting areas where tight tolerances are not necessary and is designed to save engineers time and money.