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The benefits of the cloud software solutions include lower IT costs, allowing teams (and even whole factories) to collaborate like never before; giving factories the chance to benefit from the Software as a Service (SaaS) business models that are becoming more popular every day; and delivering the remote deployment and remote working capabilities that have become so necessary in the COVID-19 era.

In today’s complex-manufacturing competitive landscape there’s no room to make critical mistakes. Following over a decade of close collaborations with top discrete manufacturing players, we’ve come to know and learn to spot some of the most widespread mistakes. This article looks at the common pitfalls and examines top manufacturers’ strategies to avoid them.

The unique challenges of composite part manufacturing such as the limited shelf-life of raw composite materials and strict quality requirements– elevate the potential benefits of IIoT based technology. COVID-related disruptions are further accelerating Digital Transformation, as manufacturers seek to increase resiliency, flexibility, and profitability. It all starts with increased production floor visibility, also creating the foundation for optimized, flexible production operations.

When a new year begins it’s time for us to create our annual trend list. Even when a pandemic hits out of the blue, manufacturers who were relatively resilient and were already embracing the latest technologies, found it easier to adjust and respond. In an uncertain climate like today’s, the next lines offer a clear direction for prioritization and development.

The challenges manufacturers encounter during these times take on many forms Some challenges lead to new strategies that will stick along as they create an opportunity for companies and prevail for that reason.
In this article, I will focus on changes related to the professional manufacturing workforce that will probably stick around.

Scheduling production operations is one of the key challenges faced by planners and schedulers working for advanced manufacturers. An optimized production schedule will improve on time delivery while ensuring the best possible use of factory floor resources – increasing throughput and reducing waste. AI-based intelligent software can help planners meet their objectives.

Optimized cutting and kitting processes in many discrete manufacturing segments are crucial due to the high cost of raw materials, and therefore they have a direct influence on the company’s overall profitability. Manufacturers are leaning on technology to optimize every step in the process. AI technology helps meet manufacturing needs by offering a dramatic advancement in cut planning and manufacturing optimization.

When the word ‘AI’, enters the discussion things become interesting. “Oh, we already use AI,” people say to me.

I’m always happy to indulge in conversations about AI use cases, so I immediately ask if they would be OK with telling me a little about their system, and how exactly it’s being used.

Then, as the discussion continues, it becomes clear that they were actually referring to BI, reports and dashboards and not AI in the deep sense that I was.
Don’t confuse AI with data analysis and dashboards

The digital manufacturing transformation is continuing to grow at full speed. As it is a part of a cross industry shift, specifically in the advanced manufacturing industry, enterprises deal with crucial and expensive procedures.
SME & Plataine surveyed the market to identify important Industry 4.0 trends in 2020. We compared the findings to trends we’ve identified in our last survey that we ran in 2018, and we published an industry report that presents and highlights our most important findings. As you will soon read, a lot has changed over the course of 2 years.  

As a provider of Industry 4.0 solutions for advanced manufacturing, we often hear small and medium size manufacturers (SMBs) tell us they are concerned Industry 4.0 and IIoT is only suitable for large industrial corporations.
The advantages Industry 4.0 technologies deliver are clear: streamlined production, increased capacity and throughput, improved quality, reduced re-work and waste, and total visibility.
So, the question is, what’s holding SMBs back from implementing Industry 4.0 and IIoT-based solutions?

Tips to reduce costs and maximize manufacturing yield during times of global changes and uncertainties

It was Charles Darwin who famously said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives… It is the one that is the most adaptable to change“, and indeed, as in nature, it holds true in business and economics.
We have prepared a short test, to estimate where you stand and how you can become smart, improve the overall agility and efficiency of your composites production operations, reduce production costs and maximize production yield. Let’s take it step by step;

In what feels like a minute and an eternity all at the same time, the industry is now busy dealing with a rollercoaster of shifts that impacts everyone in every aspect of our lives in a wide range of fields that include Aerospace, Automotive, Heavy Machinery, and more.
The next paragraphs will examine some of these changes and the main strategies that come along and help manufacturers face today’s challenges, keep the resilience, plan and be prepared for the day after the crisis.