One trend that I saw something of at Achema and that we are very interested in seeing in the US is digital manufacturing from design to control to operations and maintenance. Siemens had a large display that showed its digital engineering solution (Comos) and its control design solution and how they interface. Some of the design application suppliers were also showing how they can export drawings in a format that make it easier for operations and maintenance personnel at the owner/operators can improve performance. I\’ve written before about the work of MIMOSA (www.mimosa.org) in this area. I am also working with the OMAC Machine Tool Working Group (www.omac.org) that once again is trying to promulgate a standard for data exchange – this time for going from CAD to machine tool in a seamless, standard method. Achema organizers issued a press release proclaiming that automation technology is a major factor which drives industry forward. \“It was regarded in the past as a job killer, but it has actually
Manufacturing Connection
