How, where, and when do you integrate automation into your manufacturing process?
Smart technology paired with technical skill and expertise can produce game-changing results.
EWI helps organizations identify, develop, implement, and train staff on new automation technologies. Our team works with organizations of all sizes, from small local manufacturers to large multinational organizations. We’re ready to help you increase productivity, upskill your teams, and mitigate the impacts of workforce shortages.
Today’s advanced automation systems for manufacturing are not about replacing people. Instead, they combine the best of automated technology – like visual inspection, machine learning, and artificial intelligence – with the experience of technically trained experts to produce the highest-quality products at top productivity levels.
Our custom factory automation services go beyond robotic hardware; our experience spans collaborative and industrial robot programming, advanced sensors and machine vision, haptic feedback and advanced control development, robotic system integration, and automation training.
EWI’s Automation Focus Areas
- Advisory Services – We identify high-impact automation opportunities for current and planned manufacturing operations.
- Tele–manufacturing™ – We pioneer new technologies that enable real-time remote control and sensory feedback from robotic systems in manufacturing, fabrication, and service industry environments.
- Collaborative Robots (Cobots) – We offer robotic process automation services for manufacturing needs. Implementing novel cobot and mobile automation technologies can address process and workforce challenges.
- Training – We lead training on collaborative and industrial automation systems through structured classes and application-/system-specific training.
Tele-manufacturing: Solutions for Manufacturing Remotely
As smart manufacturing and distributed manufacturing become the norm, organizations must adapt. Innovative remote control engineering is key to remaining both competitive and lean.
Many of EWI’s contributions to custom remote factory solutions have revolved around tele-manufacturing. Tele-manufacturing supports remote manufacturing (i.e., fabricating something without being on-site) by combining advanced robotics with remote sensing, control, and digital communication.
We’ve developed custom technologies for:
- Tele-welding / remote welding
- Tele-gouging / remote gouging
- Tele-grinding / remote grinding
- Tele-polishing / remote polishing
- Tele-inspection / remote inspection
- And more
For example, these tele-gouging techniques improved foundry processes, and these tele-inspection technologies supported aircraft engine inspections.
Choosing a Control Method
Increasingly, tele-manufacturing systems are designed around two evolving control models: human-in-the-loop (HITL) and human-on-the-loop (HOTL). In HITL environments, human input is required – such as remotely controlling robotic welding, inspection, or other processes in real time. In contrast, HOTL systems execute tasks more autonomously, and a human operator provides remote supervisory control as needed.
As smart manufacturing advances, many organizations are shifting from HITL to HOTL to improve efficiency, scalability, and workforce utilization. However, it’s important to match the control method to the application, which is EWI’s specialty. We find out-of-the-box solutions for your most complex automation challenges, including remote access solutions for manufacturing. We’re excited to learn more about your automation project.