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Smart Manufacturing: May 2018

The May 2018 edition of Smart Manufacturing is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
To Each His Own: Batch Size 1 Arrives

To Each His Own: Batch Size 1 Arrives

March 30, 2018
New systems, software and processes are replacing so-called islands of automation with seamless, automated manufacturing lines that boost overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) from 30 to 80% or more. Like a chess master, these systems think multiple moves ahead on the factory floor to ensure continuing production when circumstances change.
By Karen Haywood Queen Contributing Editor, SME Media
ABB safety certified robot monitoring software

Six-axis cobots serving as automation ambassadors

April 3, 2018
Have collaborative, six-axis robots reached a tipping point in establishing their niche in manufacturing? And could they be opening doors for manufacturers to adopt automation overall?
Ilene Wolff
By Ilene Wolff Contributing Editor, SME Media
Good Times in Thermoplastic Composites

Good Times in Thermoplastic Composites

March 30, 2018
Thermoplastic composites are gaining traction in manufacturing applications, offering benefits like lighter weight, faster production times, longer shelf life and easier shipping compared with metals or other composites.
By Karen Haywood Queen Contributing Editor, SME Media
Tom McDermott

How to ‘ride on top of tidal wave of technology and change’

February 20, 2018
Experts: Embrace Industry 4.0; get leaders’ buy-in; set strategy; find partners and plan for cyber attack
By SME Media Staff
Kim Hagerty

Securely on the smart manufacturing path and looking at the next phase

April 3, 2018
Smart Manufacturing sat down with KIMBERLEY HAGERTY, Industry 4.0 digital manufacturing transformation manager at Pratt & Whitney, at the Westec conference in Los Angeles in September to hear about the progress her firm is making adopting smart manufacturing processes, solutions and strategies.
By SME Media Staff

Taking automation to a new level with advances in 3D vision

April 3, 2018
If there’s one thing you can say without reservation about manufacturing today, it’s that everybody wants more automation and flexibility. With advanced 3D vision and a multiaxis robot, companies can now automate to a degree their executives only dreamt of a few years ago.
Ed Sinkora
By Ed Sinkora Contributing Editor, SME Media

Up Front

  • MATERIALS

    Beyond Lubrication: From Commodity to Competitive Advantage

    Pavel Kralicek, Commercial Offer Advisor, ExxonMobil Product Solution, Europe, Africa and Middle East February 14, 2026
    In modern manufacturing environments, lubrication is undergoing a quiet but important transformation. Once treated as a basic commodity, lubricants are increasingly recognized as strategic enablers of equipment reliability, energy efficiency and helping to advance operator’s sustainability ambitions. As manufacturers strive to achieve higher productivity and meet environmental goals, lubrication choices are integral to operational performance, rather than an afterthought.
  • GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Supercharging the Arsenal of Freedom: Speed, Scale and Execution

    Brett Conner, Chief Manufacturing Officer, SME February 14, 2026
    The Trump administration and Congress have signaled their intent to strengthen American manufacturing, especially for the defense industrial base. There are profound implications for the manufacturing sector, with strategy, policy documents and legislation pointing to three things: speed, scale and execution.
  • MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

    What’s Next for A&D? We Asked. They Answered.

    Michael McConnell February 13, 2026
    The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is in a period of accelerated change. Advanced technologies, including AI and additive manufacturing, as well as pending changes to the National Security Strategy and ongoing trade uncertainty, have implications on manufacturing and procurement processes. Meanwhile, as with other manufacturing sectors, A&D faces its own set of workforce challenges due to a lack of multidisciplinary skills needed to move the industry forward.

Software Update

  • MATERIALS

    Beyond Lubrication: From Commodity to Competitive Advantage

    Pavel Kralicek, Commercial Offer Advisor, ExxonMobil Product Solution, Europe, Africa and Middle East February 14, 2026
    In modern manufacturing environments, lubrication is undergoing a quiet but important transformation. Once treated as a basic commodity, lubricants are increasingly recognized as strategic enablers of equipment reliability, energy efficiency and helping to advance operator’s sustainability ambitions. As manufacturers strive to achieve higher productivity and meet environmental goals, lubrication choices are integral to operational performance, rather than an afterthought.
  • GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Supercharging the Arsenal of Freedom: Speed, Scale and Execution

    Brett Conner, Chief Manufacturing Officer, SME February 14, 2026
    The Trump administration and Congress have signaled their intent to strengthen American manufacturing, especially for the defense industrial base. There are profound implications for the manufacturing sector, with strategy, policy documents and legislation pointing to three things: speed, scale and execution.
  • MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

    What’s Next for A&D? We Asked. They Answered.

    Michael McConnell February 13, 2026
    The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is in a period of accelerated change. Advanced technologies, including AI and additive manufacturing, as well as pending changes to the National Security Strategy and ongoing trade uncertainty, have implications on manufacturing and procurement processes. Meanwhile, as with other manufacturing sectors, A&D faces its own set of workforce challenges due to a lack of multidisciplinary skills needed to move the industry forward.

Passport To Innovation

  • MATERIALS

    Beyond Lubrication: From Commodity to Competitive Advantage

    Pavel Kralicek, Commercial Offer Advisor, ExxonMobil Product Solution, Europe, Africa and Middle East February 14, 2026
    In modern manufacturing environments, lubrication is undergoing a quiet but important transformation. Once treated as a basic commodity, lubricants are increasingly recognized as strategic enablers of equipment reliability, energy efficiency and helping to advance operator’s sustainability ambitions. As manufacturers strive to achieve higher productivity and meet environmental goals, lubrication choices are integral to operational performance, rather than an afterthought.
  • GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Supercharging the Arsenal of Freedom: Speed, Scale and Execution

    Brett Conner, Chief Manufacturing Officer, SME February 14, 2026
    The Trump administration and Congress have signaled their intent to strengthen American manufacturing, especially for the defense industrial base. There are profound implications for the manufacturing sector, with strategy, policy documents and legislation pointing to three things: speed, scale and execution.
  • MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

    What’s Next for A&D? We Asked. They Answered.

    Michael McConnell February 13, 2026
    The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is in a period of accelerated change. Advanced technologies, including AI and additive manufacturing, as well as pending changes to the National Security Strategy and ongoing trade uncertainty, have implications on manufacturing and procurement processes. Meanwhile, as with other manufacturing sectors, A&D faces its own set of workforce challenges due to a lack of multidisciplinary skills needed to move the industry forward.

Mfg Intel

  • MATERIALS

    Beyond Lubrication: From Commodity to Competitive Advantage

    Pavel Kralicek, Commercial Offer Advisor, ExxonMobil Product Solution, Europe, Africa and Middle East February 14, 2026
    In modern manufacturing environments, lubrication is undergoing a quiet but important transformation. Once treated as a basic commodity, lubricants are increasingly recognized as strategic enablers of equipment reliability, energy efficiency and helping to advance operator’s sustainability ambitions. As manufacturers strive to achieve higher productivity and meet environmental goals, lubrication choices are integral to operational performance, rather than an afterthought.
  • GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Supercharging the Arsenal of Freedom: Speed, Scale and Execution

    Brett Conner, Chief Manufacturing Officer, SME February 14, 2026
    The Trump administration and Congress have signaled their intent to strengthen American manufacturing, especially for the defense industrial base. There are profound implications for the manufacturing sector, with strategy, policy documents and legislation pointing to three things: speed, scale and execution.
  • MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

    What’s Next for A&D? We Asked. They Answered.

    Michael McConnell February 13, 2026
    The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is in a period of accelerated change. Advanced technologies, including AI and additive manufacturing, as well as pending changes to the National Security Strategy and ongoing trade uncertainty, have implications on manufacturing and procurement processes. Meanwhile, as with other manufacturing sectors, A&D faces its own set of workforce challenges due to a lack of multidisciplinary skills needed to move the industry forward.

Guest Columns

  • MATERIALS

    Beyond Lubrication: From Commodity to Competitive Advantage

    Pavel Kralicek, Commercial Offer Advisor, ExxonMobil Product Solution, Europe, Africa and Middle East February 14, 2026
    In modern manufacturing environments, lubrication is undergoing a quiet but important transformation. Once treated as a basic commodity, lubricants are increasingly recognized as strategic enablers of equipment reliability, energy efficiency and helping to advance operator’s sustainability ambitions. As manufacturers strive to achieve higher productivity and meet environmental goals, lubrication choices are integral to operational performance, rather than an afterthought.
  • GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Supercharging the Arsenal of Freedom: Speed, Scale and Execution

    Brett Conner, Chief Manufacturing Officer, SME February 14, 2026
    The Trump administration and Congress have signaled their intent to strengthen American manufacturing, especially for the defense industrial base. There are profound implications for the manufacturing sector, with strategy, policy documents and legislation pointing to three things: speed, scale and execution.
  • MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

    What’s Next for A&D? We Asked. They Answered.

    Michael McConnell February 13, 2026
    The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is in a period of accelerated change. Advanced technologies, including AI and additive manufacturing, as well as pending changes to the National Security Strategy and ongoing trade uncertainty, have implications on manufacturing and procurement processes. Meanwhile, as with other manufacturing sectors, A&D faces its own set of workforce challenges due to a lack of multidisciplinary skills needed to move the industry forward.

Podcasts For You

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