Newsdesk - July/August 2001

Free web-based, factory technology forum launched

A FREE, web-based forum for anyone concerned with factory technologies, process simulation and robotics has been launched. Hosted by digital factory technologies B4, its purpose is to act as a 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 anyone 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."

It is anticipated that eventually students, academics and research organisations will also use the forum. It's not known how the forum will develop or in what direction it will go, 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 the site at www.b4group.com

• B4
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