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August 2020

The August 2020 edition of Smart Manufacturing is now available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
CESMII’s SMIP shines in test drive

CESMII’s SMIP shines in test drive

July 15, 2020
In a recent demonstration of the vendor-agnostic Smart Manufacturing Innovation Platform (SMIP) from CESMII, project partners first helped managers of North Carolina State University’s water purification plant get off the dime and analyze the data they were collecting with smart instruments.
By Karen Haywood Queen Contributing Editor, SME Media
Anura Fernando, chief innovation architect for medical systems interoperability safety and security at UL Life and Health Sciences, said manufacturers transitioning into the medical sector from other sectors need to be aware of the fact that the software used “has to be validated the same way as the medical device.”

Pivot to Medical Poses Security Challenges

April 30, 2020
As some manufacturers pivot to being making in-demand medical supplies, devices and equipment, they face new cybersecurity challenges.
By Karen Haywood Queen Contributing Editor, SME Media
Markforged recently announced its ability to 3D print copper, opening the door to heatsinks, welding electrodes, antennae and other parts that require a high degree of thermal and/or electrical conductivity.

What AM was planned for IMTS?

July 20, 2020
Had IMTS 2020 taken place as scheduled, it would have been clear that making parts as quickly and cost-effectively as possible remains as the primary goal in manufacturing.
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media
Sachin Mathur, head of partnership programs at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence.

Ericsson, Hexagon cook up example of 5G in action

July 17, 2020
The promise of 5G is tempting. Fast data speeds and low latency rates make wireless connectivity, and real-time monitoring and decision making a possibility. Cost, legacy systems, security and other issues might be a deterrent that keeps some from dipping their toes into 5G waters.
By Larry Adams Contributing Writer, SME Media
Imeve, the developer of the virtual presence platform Avatour, deploys 360-degree cameras connected to a smartphone at the host site to facilitate live virtual factory inspections and site-specific training.

VR stands ready to stand in (for R)

July 16, 2020
When designers at Siemens started using virtual reality (VR) to quickly evaluate early-stage ideas, the usually slow and costly design-and-iteration process went from days and hours to minutes.
By Anastasia Ustinova Contributing Editor, SME Media
IACMI CEO John Hopkins said  the institute’s  technical focus has broadened to transportation in general and elements that would benefit from the light weighting power of composites.

IACMI supplies scale-up testing for new composite parts

July 15, 2020
Until just a few years ago, if a vehicle maker wanted to test the process for making a newly designed composite part at full scale, the company’s R&D engineers would call one of its Tier Ones and ask to schedule a trial run on the composites fabricator’s machines during off hours.
Ilene Wolff
By Ilene Wolff Contributing Editor, SME Media

Upfront

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.

Collective Intelligence

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.

Field Intelligence

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.