Automation and Big Data Take the Lead at Control 2018

Cutting edge solutions filled six event halls, with common themes of automation, connectivity and flexibility linking competitors and partners. In one display in the Zeiss booth, attendees could view inspection processes designed to aid additive manufacturers from the raw powder through dimensional and surface inspection of the final part and then to data analysis and statistics. Data collection, and seamless integration with cloud software was evidenced throughout the expo, alongside automated in-line and near-line solutions for measuring with everything from CMMs to the newest laser scanners. Doug Adkins, executive vice president of Mitutoyo, noted the progression of robotics in metrology. Robotic arms have advanced from simply handing a part to an inspection cell, to actually doing the inspection itself.