A lack of resources encourages innovative thinking!
New solutions in the industry are helping manufacturers increase production capabilities while making more efficient use of materials and production resources.
Digitalization and big data are transforming the aftermarket, enabling efficient testing, precise virtual assistance, and streamlined documentation.
Boosting productivity while using materials and production resources efficiently is high on the agenda.
How does this effect the insulation equipment aftermarket?
In the current market, everybody is afraid to be short in supply and unable to deliver what has been promised. So, the customers are very keen on aftermarket solutions that enable them to produce more with less. Innovative solutions and smarter ways of doing things have always been in demand. Today, we see increased demand for solutions that can improve production efficiency while reducing material consumption.
Is it new add-ons to existing machinery that are the key selling points for Qubiqa?
Qubiqa has developed the patented FlexWeld technology for packaging applications. Depending on the application, film type and packaging configuration, FlexWeld can help reduce the amount of packaging film required.
Normally, this would be a good business case, but now it is an outstanding one. With supply constraints, increasing raw material prices and higher costs associated with packaging film, there is an increased focus on material efficiency in production.
Do shortages drive innovation?
In a way, yes. A lack of resources encourages innovative thinking! MDO film is a good illustration of this. Depending on the film specification and application, it can enable the use of thinner films or films containing recycled material. Lower material consumption can reduce packaging material costs and help make more efficient use of available resources.
How is digitalisation and the use of big data impacting the aftermarket?
I see digital technologies changing the aftermarket in several areas.
First, we see digital twinning enabling program testing before building the machine and enabling test operation for training technicians. This can support more
efficient testing, reduce errors during commissioning and limit unnecessary rework.It also paves the way to better on-boarding for new colleagues.
Secondly, I see the increased use of virtual reality and mixed reality impacting quite a lot. There are many solutions out there – we use HoloLens from Microsoft – enabling aftermarket services to be more precise and of better quality. For instance, if you need to instruct an operator on the other side of the planet to fix something on a machine or simply feed another sheet into a packing machine, you can now utilise the glasses’ ability to add an extra layer on top of what they can see and give the instructions right where the operator is working.
Thirdly, documentation without paper is very much in demand. And so it should be:We can control documents from a central perspective and ensure all things are kept up-to-date and relevant. This reduces workload and paperwork, and it increases safety and productivity. We want to help our clients access documentation via innovative technologies and user interfaces like QR codes and update it digitally – however, it challenges the individual company’s data policy, as being able to let an ‘outsider’ tamper with data is seen as a safety breach.
How do you solve this in a world where digital attacks and hacking is increasing?
Effective IT security requires a comprehensive approach that involves technical measures, strong policies, and procedures. It’s important to keep updated on security threats and technologies and to have a strategy in place for dealing with any possible security issues.
In the development of our solutions, we consider factors such as product lifetime, material use, energy consumption and maintenance requirements. Data is crucial to us in order to assist our clients in becoming even better. To do this successfully we need data. We must ensure that these systems are secure in order to protect against threats that could jeopardise vital data or disrupt business operations.
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