The Dallas metro area, despite adding over 10,000 manufacturing jobs in the past 10 months, continues to face a challenge where the number of job vacancies exceeds the available applicants. Low labor participation rates in the region have left manufacturers struggling to fill shifts. Recognizing this, Olympus Controls, an engineering services company specializing in motion control, machine vision, and robotics, is hosting an event called “Waves of Innovation” at AT&T Stadium.
The event, scheduled for November 15, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Choctaw Club in AT&T Stadium, aims to address manufacturing challenges by presenting live demonstrations of the latest automation and robotics solutions. More than 20 automation companies will participate, showcasing a range of technologies, from collaborative robots handling tasks like sanding and polishing to vision-guided robotic arms utilizing deep learning algorithms for item picking. Automated machine loading and laser marking applications will also be featured.
The labor shortage in manufacturing has prompted companies like Olympus Controls to explore and promote automation as a solution. Scott Paulk, engineering manager at Alexandria Industries in Dallas, emphasizes the importance of being aware of available automation solutions to ease the journey toward greater automation. Alexandria Industries already has 40% of its work centers robotically automated, addressing challenges associated with hiring skilled labor and attracting the younger generation to manufacturing.
Aircraft Tooling, a Dallas-based aviation industry repair center, will also participate in the event. The company discovered that collaborative robots (cobots) could handle high temperatures and harsh environments while performing plasma spray processes. The use of cobots freed employees from this task, showcasing the potential for automation in challenging manufacturing environments.
The event aims to bring together manufacturing professionals, allowing them to explore innovative solutions, share insights, and enhance capabilities. By showcasing local talent and resources, Olympus Controls seeks to contribute to the development and growth of manufacturing in Texas. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.