The "D" word has become one of the hottest trends in the manufacturing world. State-of-the-art sensors attached to assembly tools and production equipment are capable of collecting a constant stream of data.
Industry 4.0 isn't anything new for the manufacturing engineers at Glidewell. The Newport, CA-based manufacturer of crowns, bridges and other dental products has been applying the concept since before it had a name.
Machine connectivity, data collection and advanced automation have quickly become essential technologies for the major manufacturers in aerospace and defense.
Science fiction writers are often heralded as great visionaries and predictors of future technology. But, "serious" writers, so to speak, also have their prophetic moments, even if by accident.
Schneider Electric's factory in Lexington, KY, has been mass-producing electrical equipment for more than 60 years. But, the low-mix, high-volume assembly plant is not sitting back and living in the past. Instead, it has become a state-of-the-art showcase for the future of digital manufacturing.
LOUISVILLE, KY—GE Appliances, a Haier company, has graduated the first engineer from its new Industry 4.0 Development Program, which targets recent engineering college graduates or midcareer employees who want to work at the company’s nine smart factories in the U.S.
ANDOVER, MA—Mercury Systems Inc., a manufacturer of electronics for the aerospace and defense industries, has selected FactoryLogix manufacturing execution software from Aegis to run its network of 16 factories worldwide.
SANTA CLARA, CA—Absolute EMS Inc., an electronics manufacturing services provider here, has selected FactoryLogix manufacturing execution software from Aegis Software to support requirements for adaptability, traceability, paperless manufacturing and insights into its production processes.
Technology innovations for products and services are advancing rapidly. But manufacturers increasingly find their product development systems are unable to support what it takes to bring these innovations to market.
When you hear the phrase, "Industrial Internet of Things," what do you think of first? When we asked subscribers to ASSEMBLY and Quality magazines that question earlier this year, the answers were all over the map.