Much larger – yeah, in the same way
that the Kraken is much larger than the
breaded calamari rings at an Italian
restaurant.
The show, according to Doyle, is going
to be about 50 percent bigger in
both size and scope than the comparatively
puny 2013 version. He’s expecting
roughly 300 exhibitors and 15,000
attendees.
“We’re geared towards many, many
different industries, but any manufacturer
who is looking for a way to better
their product through use of automation
in some way will find a solution at
our show,” Doyle said.
Really, that’s what Automate’s purpose
is at a subatomic level: solving
problems. The show in and of itself is
an entertaining circus of cutting-edge
automated technology and an absolute
utopia for small business owners
and giant corporations alike. And
while there will undoubtedly be many
fun things to view on the show floor – a
robot that puts together puzzles with
pinpoint accuracy, anyone? – the real
purpose of Automate is not to dazzle,
but to progress.
Accompanying the show is a comprehensive
educational conference
featuring a broad array of classes from
beginner to advanced skill levels.
Classes are taught by experienced industry
professionals who understand
the challenges attendees face, according
to Doyle.
“The show is free while the conference
obviously has a cost,” he said. “But if anyone wants to learn more about
robotics, vision or motion control, we
have a whole conference that you can
register for, either day by day or the
whole week. If you go to our website
(www.automateshow.com) you can see
the full lineup and conference agenda.
“Also, as a part of that, we’re hosting
the International Symposium on Robotics,
which is an international event
that hasn’t been in the United States in
several years. That will be pretty cool.
“One other thing of note on the show
floor is what we call ‘expert huddles.’
This is an opportunity for attendees to
talk with an expert in the field about
a topic in a smaller setting of 10 or 12
people. It’s not a PowerPoint presentation
or anything like that – it’s actually
a conversation about solutions that are
provided in the automation space.”
Keynote speakers for the three-day
show will be Rene Noemi (March 23),
the director of Android and Chrome
Global Business, John Mackey (March
24), cofounder and CEO of Whole
Foods Market, and, perhaps most notably,
Steve Wozniak (March 25), cofounder
of Apple.
Then, of course, there’s Walton, who
will be in attendance on March 24 for
the Automate Madness Networking
Party.
“We’re calling it Automate Madness
because the March Madness NCAA
Tournament is around the same time,”
Doyle said. “After 5 p.m. we’re having
a basketball-themed event with food
and drinks and [Walton] will be making
his appearance.”
Add it all up.
As Walton would surely say: Automate
is primed to be the best show in
the history of Western civilization.
The Robots
In all seriousness, though, that’s quite
enough about Walton. Though he figures
to be one of the more popular attractions
during the course of the week
(and the tallest), the show isn’t about
him.
It’s about the robots.
“For us, Automate is a robotic specific
tradeshow, really,” said Alex Miller,
ABB Robotics sales manager. “I know
there are other aspects of automation
that are there, but it’s put on in conjunction
with the Robotic Industries
Association. It is probably the only robotic
specific tradeshow we go to.
“We will show a wider range of our
robotic technology at Automate than
we would at any other show.”
Attendees can expect to see the full
spectrum of robotic and automation
technology on display at Automate: big
and small, complicated and simple,
dangerous and friendly, blue, yellow,
white and orange.
And out of all the hundreds of robots
expected to be featured at the show,
there may be one type in particular
that stands out head and shoulders –
err, nuts and bolts – above the rest.
“Collaborative robots are a very hot
topic right now in the industry,” Doyle
said. “Basically, a collaborative robot is
a robot that can work side-by-side with
people. When you think of a traditional
robot it’s behind a cage. A collaborative
robot is unique in that it’s safer to work
right next to and is much more nimble.
Automate 2015 is projected to have over 300 exhibitors and 15,000 attendees.
“I know several exhibitors will be
there with their collaborative robots
and suppliers will be introducing some
new products, which I think is going to
be pretty exciting.”
ABB (Auburn Hills, MI), one of the
world’s leading suppliers of industrial
robots and modular manufacturing
systems, will not be showcasing any
collaborative robots at Automate, but
they do have several exciting things
planned for the eight robots they’re
bringing, according to Miller.
“There’s kind of a theme to what
we’re bringing,” he said. “That theme is
centered on how robots are becoming
more efficient. Robots are lighter, they
take up less space, they’re easier to operate
– that efficiency is essential.”
The newest model that ABB will have
on display is the IRB 1200, a compact,
flexible, fast and functional small industrial
robot that was released in the
fall of 2014.
“It’s ideal for assembly and material
handling, etcetera,” Miller said. “That’s
on the small end. On the larger end we
have the IRB 6700, and then we have
some other demos as well. We have
our IRB 360 FlexPicker and we have
another small robot at 120.”
Arguably the most fascinating presentation
for ABB will be its FlexPicker,
a high speed picking and packing
robot with a reach of 1,600 mm and a
mid-range payload of up to 6 kg. The
FlexPicker’s most famous application
– one that dessert aficionados will be
most disappointed to find is not going
to be on display at Automate – is putting
the tops on Pepperidge Farm Milano
cookies.
“We’re going to be showing some
high speed picking and placing,” Miller said. “It’s not going to be Milano cookies
– I’m not actually sure what the little
product will be – but they’ll be randomly
displaced on the conveyor and the robot,
with its vision, will be able to pick it
and place it on a conveyor very quickly.”
Yaskawa Motoman, a robotic automation
supplier out of West Carrolton,
OH that began its involvement with
Automate back in 1989 under its previous
name and direction, will have one
of the largest booths at the show.
“In 2015 Yaskawa Electric Corporation
will be celebrating their 100th anniversary,”
said Tim DeRosett, director
of strategic initiatives at Yaskawa Motoman.
“We will be featuring a range of robots,
controls and motion products. We
will also have some very exciting demonstrations
focusing on healthcare.
“While there are certainly larger
shows that focus on specific vertical
markets, Automate crosses all segments
with solutions that help companies
solve their production needs.
There is a lot of energy around production
robots for general industry.
“It’s a great time to be in automation.”
The Exhibitors
While attendees’ eyes will be focused
on the robots – and really, who can
blame them? – the eyes of the exhibitors
at Automate will be looking at
each other.
“The most unique aspect of it, compared
to other trade shows we go to, is
that Automate is all automation companies
next to each other,” Miller said.
“We’ll see competitors right across the
aisle from us. When we go to other
trade shows, our competitors are dispersed
all throughout the hall.
“One of the most distinguishing features
is that you can see all your competitors
in one place and they’re all
within 50 yards of you.”
With the number of exhibitors at 267
less than two months away from the
show, the grand total could potentially
reach in excess of 300, according to
Doyle.
Three hundred companies, some
robotic and automation suppliers like
ABB and Yaskawa and Fanuc, others
eager buyers like Atlanta Drive Systems,
Inc., Boca Bearing Company,
Diequa Corporation, Harmonic Drive
LLC and Igus Inc., all within a six-axis
robot’s reach.
It’s the very definition of “keep your
friends close, but keep your enemies
closer.”
And it’s what makes Automate such
a distinct event.
“Everything is right there in the robotic
industry, Miller said. “You can
see what every robot manufacturer has
to offer. And that is invaluable.”
Bill Walton couldn’t have said it better
himself. 
For more information:
Association for Advancing Automation
Phone: (734) 994-6088
www.a3automate.org
ABB Automation
Phone: (800) 420-0707
www.abb.com
Yaskawa Motoman Robotics
Phone: (937) 847-6200
www.motoman.com
Guests look at display during Automate 2013.
