FABRICATION INDUSTRY RIPE FOR ROBOTIC SOLUTIONS
 
COST-EFFECTIVENESS THE CENTRAL THEME OF PRODUCTS AT STEELFAB 2010
 
SHARJAH
Robots can deliver a host of benefits in a wide variety of applications in the metal fabrication industry and they can be a great help during the current economic slump by significantly increasing productivity and efficiency, said experts taking part in an exhibition.
 
“There are several factors that favour robotic solutions in the current economic climate. They range from reducing operating costs, improving product quality and consistency, as well as the quality of work for employees, to increasing production output rates, product manufacturing flexibility and reducing material waste and increasing yield,” said Mr. Ramesh Jain, Head of Robotics Gulf Region, ABB Industries LLC, on the sidelines of a product presentation seminar held as part of the SteelFab 2010 exhibition at Expo Centre Sharjah.
 

 

SteelFab is the region’s leading trade show for the metal-working, metal-manufacturing and steel fabrication industry and is being held at Expo Centre Sharjah until Thursday (January 14).
 
“Robots are not sold based on their price, but their payback period, which could be sometimes as short as one year. Though robots are a relatively new technology in this part of the world, they are catching up fast and this, along with the need to cut costs and increase productivity to ride out the economic slump, is reflected in the 30 per cent increase in our sales last year,” added Mr. Jain.
 
During the seminar, Mr. Dick Skarin, Robotic Arc Welding Application Engineer, ABB AB, Sweden, presented software that can help offline programming and simulate welding parameters, and introduced new family of robots and their applications in the automotive and construction sectors.
 
“We also discussed robotic solutions for the infrastructure sector,” said Mr. Skarin. ABB is also in the advanced stage of producing a prototype for remotely controlled offshore as well as onshore platforms for the oil and gas industry.
 
At another product presentation seminar, Mr. S. Rajaseshan, Sales Manager – Retail & International, Emirates Gas, introduced cutting edge gas, which is being promoted as a replacement to acetylene for all cutting, brazing and heating applications.
“Cutting edge gas (CEG) is a new generation environmental friendly product from Emirates Gas for customers looking for convenient, safe and cost-effective -- being 30 per cent cheaper than acetylene -- cutting fuel. It also has logistical advantages. CEG was launched last year but it is being promoted in a major way now. Our market estimate for this product is about Dh8 million,” said Mr. Rajaseshan.
 
Mr. Tony Green, International Sales Manager, Bradbury Group, UK, highlighted productivity enhanced rollforming equipment and roll forming basics, with special focus on the production of purlins.
 
“Our target from this market is about US$3-10 million, with our sales figures from the region for the past year standing at about US$3 million. There is good demand for our products in Egypt and Saudi Arabia,” said Mr. Green.
 
Sulzer Mateplas GmbH presented the vacuum coating system for cutting tools in one of the product presentation seminars. “The vacuum coating system is new to the Emirates. Through vacuum coating, the lifetime of cutting tools can be enhanced by three times,” said Dr. Willi Jung, Sales Manager Systems, Sulzer Metaplas GmbH.
 
Faccin SRL focused on new techniques for beam/plate processing and their application in the heavy pressure vessels industry. “We highlighted how a good quality machine can influence the production of state-of-the-art pressure vessels, heat exchange and hold the components for power generation,” said Mr. Fabio Migliorati, Sales Director, Faccin SRL, Italy.
 
Among other presentations, Tekla presented software for BIM, Acecad Software discussed the future of steel engineering and fabrication, while Peddinghaus Corporation introduced new techniques for beam/plate processing and Celada ME explained the flexibility, cost reduction and turning/milling process.
 
At SteelFab 2010, more than 150 direct exhibitors are showcasing over 500 brands in a total exhibition area of 16,000 square metres, featuring the Middle East’s largest display of machinery, machine tools, welding equipment, supplies, consumables and ancillary equipment used in the pre- and post-treatment of steel.
 
The show is open from 10am to 7pm daily for trade and professional visitors only.
 
SteelFab 2010 is being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.