Latin America. Technological demands have always been increasing according to the needs of its users. To meet this challenge, CommScope, a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks, opened a new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center at its facility in Kessel Lo, Belgium. The center will showcase a recent partnership with Yaskawa, the world's largest robot supplier, to determine the feasibility of adding robotic technology and increased automation to manufacturing processes.
The creation of this new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center enables CommScope to develop automated manufacturing competencies and technology, in a laboratory environment, through cross-functional collaboration and partnerships with universities, knowledge partners and suppliers. The goal is to launch the design of new process equipment and mechanization tools to be implemented in manufacturing locations worldwide.
"As we look to the future, the nature of manufacturing continues to evolve, our customers expect customization and near-immediate delivery of quality products," said Chris Story, Senior VP of Global Supply at CommScope. "The digital factory is making manufacturing an interesting topic again; we expect to see employees doing jobs for industries that have never existed. CommScope sees the growing proliferation of flexible automation as a key part of how to innovate for our customers."
This center includes a vision lab to support robotics, develop automated quality inspection tools, and augmented reality support tools. The mechatronics laboratory will design tools to facilitate delicate, high-precision operations. This area will also focus on the development of laser-enabled process equipment.
Similarly, the alliance with Yaskawa and its technologies, such as the collaborative robot Motoman HC10, or the Industry 4 system, used to manage its robots, are fundamental pieces for this Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center to achieve its objectives.
"Manufacturing contributes more than six trillion euros* to the global economy, while the demand for highly skilled, technological and innovative labour continues to grow," said Eddie Mennen, MANAGING DIRECTOR of Yaskawa Benelux. "Yaskawa is collaborating with CommScope to modernize the production technologies needed to respond efficiently in rapidly changing markets such as electronics and high-tech."
High-precision robots facilitate consistency and accuracy that cannot be achieved by human labor, especially for technologies such as fiber optic connectivity and circuits. As more customers expect instant delivery, having such technologies accelerates production time while ensuring quality.
The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center is located in the Kessel Lo facility, remodeled and reused to create a modern environment where internal and external partners can collaborate. The new space will be unveiled during site visits to show customers how CommScope is working to innovate manufacturing operations and will be a key part of talent acquisition.
"Having places like this Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center is a key way to develop and test technology while innovating in robotics, which will be a great support in the effort to add greater automation to our global manufacturing network, as well as support our operations in improving quality, efficiency and speed." concluded CommScope's Senior VP of Global Supply.
