According to the US Small Business Administration, approximately 300,000 small-to-medium manufacturers (SMB manufacturers) are located in the United States, employing more than 8 million workers, and accounting for more than 40% of all production value. SMB manufacturers play a similarly large role among Asian and European manufacturers. This sizable group, however, has not adopted robotics technologies to the same degree as large, multinational manufacturers. But fueled by both supplier ‘push’ and end-user ‘pull,’ both traditional industrial robotics companies, as well as a number of new vendors, are providing products and services specifically designed satisfy the requirements and support the culture of this underserved market.
Dan Kara, VP, Robotics and Intelligent Systems, WTWH Media
In his FPTC keynote presentation titled “Robotics Solutions for Small-to-Medium Manufacturers,” Dan Kara, VP, Robotics and Intelligent Systems, WTWH Media, will describe the latest robotics technologies and services, along with enabling technologies, that meet SMB manufacturer’s automation requirements. Kara noted, “SMBs vary as to their specific requirements for robotics technologies, but as a group they are more alike than different. For example, unlike larger companies, small-to-medium manufacturers often lack sufficient funds for expensive robotic installations. Also, they do not have the personnel available with a deep understanding of how robots operate or how to program and maintain them, nor can they afford to outsource or use robotics consultants for an extended period of time. Therefore, SMBs typically opt for solutions that minimize both the costs and risks associated with adopting robotics technology. Also, automation technologies that have a relatively low purchase price and dramatically reduced life-cycle costs are preferred. SMBs also require flexible automation solutions that can easily and quickly be adopted to meet shifting demand. Systems that can be programmed easily and quickly, and support multiple types of automation tasks, are optimal in this regard. Solutions are available on the market that meet these goals.”
Kara will kick off the conference at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 14. Topics in his presentation will include:
- Collaborative robotics
- Bench-top systems
- Grippers and gripping systems
- Application specific systems
- Mobile robots
- Robotics-as-a-service
- Non-traditional manufacturing and novel application areas
- Flexible automation
- Rapid deployment and simplified programming
- What’s next
As VP, Robotics at WTWH Media, Kara is chartered with driving the company’s robotics and intelligent systems initiatives. Prior to joining WTWH, he was Practice Director, Robotics at ABI Research and Chief Research Officer for Myria RAS, both research and advisory services firms focused on automation, robotics and intelligent systems. He served as President of Robotics Trends, the producer of Robotics Trends and Robotics Business Review online news, information and analysis portals, as well as a number of robotics business development events. Kara is a widely known research analyst and well-respected thought leader who has extensive business development experience with nascent technology markets that are poised for rapid growth.
Learn more and register at www.fluidpowertechconference.com.
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