Shops today must track or measure their manufacturing operations to improve them. This need drives the growing use of MTConnect—an open, royalty-free protocol for extracting data from practically any piece of equipment, including machine tools and other manufacturing systems. The integration of MTConnect is a major undertaking, and can be a bit challenging unless certain preparations are made ahead of time.
With the rapid pace of digitalization, operations are becoming faster and leaner than ever.
Closed-loop manufacturing (CLM) is emerging as a viable approach to address tighter delivery timelines and supply chain challenges.
Manufacturers and fabricators need to consider the application and performance requirements of materials.
A look back at SME on its 90th anniversary.
An official of the Aluminum Association makes the case why aluminum will be important for the electrification of vehicles.
Cobots are an ideal, entry-level robotic device for smaller shops to begin using automation.
When fully integrated with 5G and MEC, manufacturers should be able to accurately track costs using computer vision and launch immersive collaboration and training with the help of augmented reality.
Looking back, 2020 was a year of challenge and change for manufacturing—and that’s an understatement.
Having a plan for maintaining and improving the performance and reliability of every machine on a shop floor is vital to manufacturing operations. Reliable machines make short-notice production runs possible. And the more flexible manufacturers are, the more new customers they’ll attract.
