IEN: What are the major concerns facing automation, and how can they be addressed?
Nestel-Patt: Two significant issues are the shrinking number of internal engineering resources coupled with shorter product design cycles, and the need to meet varying design specifications and requirements for global application.
This is being addressed in two ways. First, OEMs are partnering with motion control suppliers who have the engineering resources and expertise, and depth and breadth of components and solutions, early in the design process to help avoid common design errors, and to develop automation solutions that specifically meet the application requirements.
Second is the increasing availability of highly reliable and flexible components that are designed to satisfy global specifications, with off-the-shelf component availability to meet time-to-market requirements.
IEN: What innovations are in store in software, systems, intelligent field devices, digital manufacturing, customization, optimization, and other areas?
Nestel-Patt: Components with global feature sets and standards certifications that provide more flexibility and choice from a single product line. This makes it easier for the design engineer to find the exact component necessary to satisfy the design specification.
A good example is the new Kollmorgen AKM servomotors from Danaher Motion. These servomotors are available in more than 12,000 standard offerings for maximum motor design flexibility, allowing design engineers to specify the exact servomotor solution they need with reduced time to market, superior performance, and competitive pricing.