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[Oct 2005]
Ceramitec to Address Globalisation in Tableware
With product life cycles having become so much shorter, product development now has to be fast and cost efficient, so CAD technology is seen as a must. In recent years much innovation has been taking place in equipment and machinery for making ceramic tableware. Tremendous progress has been made in process automation, in particular with regard to design variety and flexible production modules. All the latest innovations will be presented at CERAMITEC in Munich from 16-19 May 2006, according to the organiser, Messe Muenchen GmbH.
Other themes in the spotlight at the show will be how to improve processes still further - towards the goal of 'zero error' production - and techniques for cost effective manufacturing of small batch sizes so as to be able to cater for very specific customer wishes. Cooperation between the suppliers of machinery and raw materials has become much closer, in particular because optimising process quality is a challenge that can only be met by working together.
The market leaders among the tableware manufacturers are pointing to the fact that it's not just technological innovations that count, but also innovations in design. In this context, the machine engineering side is being integrated more closely into the development, because of the increasing complexity of form design and therefore the design of tools and machinery for asymmetric, sometimes large-sized items.
In addition, the Western European tableware manufacturers have to pursue clever brand and price policies, positioning themselves not only in the up-market segment. Targeted outsourcing for manufacturers in high-wage countries is very much a part of this strategy and thereby also introduces Asian manufacturers into the process, notes Messe Muenchen. Technology has to keep pace with these changes.
There are now one or two new approaches to maximising cost efficiency in the process chain in tableware technology, by moving away from the traditional manufacturing models. One interesting initiative involves taking ideas from building ceramics, where modifications to materials and glazes achieve functional qualities in the product. CERAMITEC 2006 will be showcasing all the latest trends and innovations.
www.ceramitec.de
ENDS