Big for Stiles was the tapio Industry 4.0 launch at AWFS Fair 2017
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.– Stiles Machinery Inc. says over 2,000 industry professionals came to see its booth at the AWFS Fair 2017 in Las Vegas last week.
Stiles’ booth was staffed by over 150 of its people, and featured a next generation of manufacturing machinery and many new smart technologies.
The highlight of the show according to Stiles was the announcement of the next generation of Industry 4.0 innovation, tapio, which made its North American market debut. First shown by Homag at Ligna 2017, tapio is said to be positioned to streamline the woodworking industry by providing dynamic access to valuable data from each stage of the manufacturing process.
It is designed to increase the efficiency of production management including production optimization, plant and machinery operation, predictive maintenance and more; tapio users can not only receive real-time data from any machine, at any time, but also of their entire production process - all on smart phones or iPads.
Along with tapio, attendees experienced a wide range of solutions in solid wood and panel processing designed to help operators get more from their machinery, including the Salvador SuperPush 200 Optimizing Cross Cut Saw and the first intelligent operator assistance system in panel sizing history, the intelliGuide.
The intelliGuide system supports the operator visually by guiding them with an LED light strip and new laser technology projected directly onto the workpieces during operation, dramatically increasing efficiency and reducing operator error.
If you were unable to attend this year’s AWFS fair in Las Vegas, you can still experience your solution online at StilesAWFS.com or by attending Stiles’ upcoming Benchmarking Technology Tour, where attendees will explore the most innovative, efficient, and productive manufacturing facilities across Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For more information about this and other upcoming events, visit Stilesmachinery.com/events.

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.