SMC team members from left: Colin Bradley, Ali Babaei, managing director Wayne Driver, Guiomar Fernandez and Darshan Desai
SMC officially introduced the first wireless manifold – the EX600-W – to the New Zealand market at their first ever Dynamic Technology Show in Auckland recently.
The wireless manifold was developed to assist in robotic applications where a manifold is required to be mounted on the robot head. The EX600-W makes mounting easy with its design, which is wireless, compact and light. The product has already won awards in Europe and is available to local customers.
Peter Wilson, branch manager at SMC Auckland says the company is more than just pneumatics.
“We have over 12,000 products many of which are specially engineered and cover areas which complement the pneumatic applications.
“We were able to show our customers our electric actuators, chemical valves and high-pressure equipment all in one room. Customers were also impressed by the factory tours through our local manufacturing facility where we produce our own cylinders.”
Software demonstration workshops were held by the engineering department to show customers the easy to use free online sizing software and e-tools.
Energy saving was high on the agenda at the show as this issue becomes increasingly important in manufacturing.
SMC has seen a significant increase in customers looking for energy saving products. To help with this the company launched a roadmap detailing the various steps companies need to take to save energy on their compressed air applications. Products such as pulse blowing valves (AXTS Series) and vacuum ejectors like the ZK2 series offer energy saving functions.
“As a Japanese company, our business philosophy is built around our customers. We refer to ourselves as a customer centric organisation who develop products based on the feedback from the market and what our customers identify as a need in their operation,” says Wilson.
Customers had an opportunity to experience SMC’s research and development philosophy first-hand with the initial design ideas of their newest products being available to view. The Japan branch is in the process of developing a product for exhaust recovery systems to reduce air consumption and new surface treatments to reduce weight of cylinders.
“We are over the moon with the great turn out. The numbers exceeded our expectations. It was a great event with a relaxed atmosphere, and we trust customers found it interesting and enjoyed the traditional Maori catering theme of the day,” says Wilson.
For customers who missed the event, SMC will be displaying these products and more at Foodtech Packtech New Zealand in September 2020 on stand number 2023.
Watch a time lapse of the event here.
