Renishaw drives precision and efficiency in advancing ASEAN's automation industry

In today's dynamic business environment, manufacturers across Asia face the dual challenge of intense global competition and the need to cater to increasingly diverse applications. According to Steve Bell, General Manager for Renishaw ASEAN, in an interview by International Metalworking News for Asia, the key to staying competitive lies in producing parts quickly, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.

- By: Kathryn Gerardino-Elagio

“Regardless of the industry, the goals never really change—manufacturers aim to make parts that meet strict quality requirements, are delivered efficiently, and remain attractive to customers,” Bell explains. “Automation is an enabler for all these objectives. It delivers process consistency, reduces errors caused by human variability, and helps eliminate scrap and rework, ultimately driving efficiency and customer satisfaction.”

Bell also notes that this shift toward automation is not simply about keeping pace with competitors—it is about securing a sustainable operational model in an industry where margins are tight and expectations are rising.

THE POWER OF MACHINE TOOL PROBING

For Renishaw, automation in machining goes far beyond robotics and material handling. Bell emphasizes that one of the most impactful areas is machine tool probing, which streamlines essential yet traditionally time-consuming tasks such as tool setup and part alignment.

“Before cutting begins, setting up tools and parts manually can be labour-intensive and prone to errors,” he says. “With tool setters and machine tool probing, manufacturers can automate these steps, accurately orient the part, and ensure the correct configuration before machining starts. Even without using probes inspection purposes, simply using them to set up the part delivers immediate benefits in accuracy and efficiency.”