Sumitomo (SHI) Demag ’s year-long automation and OPC-UA project for pharma and med-tech packaging specialist Nolato Jaycare, supported by Hi-Tech Automation and other partners, outshines injection moulding heavyweights to scoop top industry prize.
At the star-studded Plastic Industry Awards 2024, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag made history collecting the coveted top trophy for Supplier Partnership – Injection Moulding.
Having only ever been a finalist in this category, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag (UK) Managing Director Dave Raine hailed this win as the ultimate accolade. Particularly as this project is indicative of how the manufacturing world is now innovating and converging towards future connectivity. The company previously won Best Technology Application of the Year in 2015 and 2016, and Best Training & Development Programme in 2023.
Judged by a distinguished panel of industry specialists, the strategic partnership was pronounced the winner by the evening’s host, comedian and TV star Zoe Lyons.
Through this consortium of carefully selected machinery and automation partners, Nolato was able to fast track its ‘net zero’ driven investment and switch from eight hydraulic to customised all-electric Sumitomo (SHI) Demag machines in less than 12 months. For complete production line synergy, all the machines, automation and periphery equipment were programmed to the standardised OPC-UA roadmap. Additionally, Hi-Tech was able to incorporate four of Nolato’s still functional boxing and packing systems, saving investment costs.
The judges commented: “It is exciting to see a company install this level of automation. This project has demonstrated the impact OPC-UA could have on the injection moulding industry. OPC-UA is still in its infancy and its high flexibility and aspirations also make it hard for people to grasp. To date few have pushed the boundaries demonstrated in this project.”
For Nolato Jaycare, the benefits of this customised, totally integrated, factory tested approach partnership model are multiple. “SDUK and Hi-Tech Automation provided a single source solution with the advantage that the cells were built and tested locally off-site. Full CE certification was provided, along with ease of access to technical support,” reports Nolato Jaycare’s Technical Manager Darren Whitworth. The quickest machine was installed in four weeks.
Hi-Tech Automation Direction Gary Probert adds: “OPC-UA is finally delivering on its promise of seamless communication between devices, and this has allowed us to look at cell control from a different perspective than that traditionally used.”
Look out for the in-depth case study which will be published by Sumitomo (SHI) Demag soon.
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