Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe

Sergio Maeda, Head of Robot & Welding, shares his vision of the market and insutry and explains how technology can support to make a difference.

Akira Yamashita, the new divisional head of Panasonic Factory Solutions in Europe, believes the future of manufacturing is a connected world, where connected equipment works in harmony with connected operators. He explains his vision…

From hardware to software, to services to capabilities, to innovation to sustainability… Some inspiring facts about the world of Panasonic. 

There has never been a more rewarding time to be involved in European electronics manufacturing, says Peer Schumacher, the new Head of Manufacturing Solutions at Panasonic Connect Europe.

Just Weld it! Can be seen in large lettering across the wall as you enter the Robot and Welding area at the Panasonic Customer Experience Centre in Munich, Germany. And it’s a message the global industry is taking to heart with the welding market predicted to be worth more than €28 billion by 2028 – a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% driven by demand for advanced technology welding services, according to Fortune Business Insights.

The ability to control and optimise the just in time delivery of materials to the production process is one of the fundamental challenges for the future of automated manufacturing. Peter Barber, Head of Solutions Engineering at Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe, looks at the progress being made.

A shortage of skilled welding labour and a desire for European manufacturers to localise their supply chains back on the continent is accelerating the move towards robot and welding systems and ultimately autonomous manufacturing. Peer Schumacher, head of department for Robot and Welding at Panasonic Connect explains more. 

Ivan Flor Cantos, Marketing Manager of Panasonic Smart Factory Solutions, states production needs to be flexible and responsive to new requirements at any time and explains how the zero concept will contribute to process automation and smart factories.

Imagine the gates to the factory slowly swing open as the self-driving truck arrives. It reverses into the unloading bay and a team of robots swing into co-ordinated action. They smoothly prepare the next production run – autonomously with zero human operator.

Imagine we achieve the future vision of the autonomous factory: A totally integrated supply chain with lights-out production and ultimately zero human operators. Therefore, the challenge is connectivity.