Citation
(2001), "New digital factory technology forum launched", Assembly Automation, Vol. 21 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2001.03321dab.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
New digital factory technology forum launched
New digital factory technology forum launched
A new, free, Web-based forum for anyone concerned with factory technologies, process simulation and robotics has been launched. Hosted by digital factory technologist, B4 (Lichfield) Limited (UK), its purpose is to act as virtual meeting place for sharing and exchanging views, providing information and posing questions.
The forum is aimed at manufacturing engineers involved in the design, installation and upkeep of automated systems. "It can be difficult when working in very specialised fields and you frequently wonder if any one else is out there confronting the same or similar challenges", remarks Roger Holden, B4's managing director. "We hope that by establishing and managing this site, it will evolve into a useful information resource for manufacturing engineers", Roger adds. It is anticipated that eventually students, academics and research organisations will also use the forum. An added incentive to create the site was the expense of often outdated publications. Roger hopes that students in particular will be able to learn more about current industrial issues and practices.
A member of the original University of Warwick Science Park's TeamStart cohort, Roger founded B4 Ltd in 1998. Harry Stott, TeamStart's project director comments, "It is gratifying that we helped B4 to get started and to see it produce this resource. I am sure it will benefit manufacturing professionals in the UK and farther afield". TeamStart is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The company is breaking into new fields by developing e-learning products for the education sector. These are based on interactive CD-ROM technologies to support the learning process. It is not known how the forum will develop or what direction it will take, but the B4 team hopes it will make some contribution to improving skills and disseminating best practice within the UK's manufacturing base. Anyone interested in browsing or making a contribution should visit www.b4group.com