Glossary

This glossary will help you fully understand the ins and outs of the industry.

Agile Manufacturing

Agile manufacturing is a term applied to an organization that has created the processes, tools, and training to enable it to respond quickly to customer needs and market changes while still controlling costs and quality. It is also related to lean manufacturing....

AIoT

The AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) refers to applying AI to IoT-based technologies. In the industrial manufacturing context AI (Artificial Intelligence) has not a lot of use without the IoT (Internet of Things). This is a trend that is already happening...

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is intelligence demonstrated by machines and software. In manufacturing, AI is a technology that enables machines to ‘see’ and analyze the production environment and make on-the-fly decisions based on what’s actually happening on the production floor. AI is revolutionizing manufacturing by...

Circular Manufacturing

Circular manufacturing or circular economy is defined as a production and consumption model whereby manufacturers find means to bring back materials into the economy instead of discarding them.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services, such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software and analytics - over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer flexible resources and faster innovation. It allows the enormous scalable computing resources as a service over the internet...

Composites in Manufacturing

Modern manufacturing is a dynamic world. It is where innovation is the driving force and efficiency is the demand of the hour. It requires continuous evolvement to get desired results in the best way possible. So, manufacturers keep coming up with more powerful solutions every day. One such game-changer is “composites.”

Connected Factory

A connected factory is a manufacturing facility that uses digital technology to allow seamless sharing and communication between all devices, information and elements involved in production including people, machines, materials, kits and sensors...

Digital Thread

The digital thread refers to the communication framework that allows a connected data flow and integrated view of the asset’s data throughout its lifecycle, from raw material to end product. The digital thread concept enables…

Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation in manufacturing is about developing digital capabilities while adopting Industry 4.0 paradigm, to gain an edge in today’s competitive market. The increasing competition in the manufacturing industry makes organizations to focus...

Digital Twin

A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical asset, process, or system. This virtual replica is created using data collected from sensors, cameras, and other sources, which is then processed by algorithms and machine learning models to create a digital representation of the physical asset.

Edge Computing

The edge computing framework is quickly finding its way into manufacturing, where these new technologies can potentially lead to massive productivity gains. Edge computing allows smart manufacturers looking to enhance the responsiveness of their manufacturing systems further. The key advantage of gathering analytics...

Extreme Automation (Hyper Automation)

Extreme Automation or Hyper Automation refers to an umbrella concept that brings together people, processes, and technologies required for on-time seamless and continuous delivery. Extreme automation describes an increasing reliance on robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all aspects of our lives...

Generative AI in manufacturing

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that uses machine learning algorithms to generate new content, such as images, videos, music, and even text. It is different from traditional AI, which is designed to recognize patterns and make predictions based on existing data. Generative AI can create new data that has never been seen before...

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) refers to any type of shop floor equipment that is connected to the internet as well as sensor technologies that collect and share vast amounts of data in real time by network connection…

Industry 4.0

Referred to as the 4th industrial revolution, Industry 4.0 represents the shift of manufacturers to automation and advanced technologies such as AI, cloud computing, machine learning, big data etc. Industry 4.0 solutions focus on…

Industrial Autonomy

Industrial autonomy is the ultimate pathway for manufacturing industries toward fully autonomous operations. By leveraging smart sensing technology and machine cognition, it allows for achieving production and manufacturing objectives without the need for external supervision and intervention.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is the international standard that outlines all requirements for the establishment and maintenance of a robust information security management system (ISMS). Its best-practice approach helps organizations manage their information security by addressing people and processes as well as technology. ISO 27001 provides a model for…

JIT (Just in Time) Manufacturing

Just-in-time' is a management philosophy, originally referred to as the production of goods to meet the exact customer demands, in time, regarding quality and quantity, whether the customer is the end-user of the product or another process further along the production line. Instead of building large stocks of what manufacturers think the customer might want...

KPI

KPI stands for Key Performance Indicator, and they are meant to do just as the name suggests - to indicate performance levels. KPIs are quantifiable metrics that offer insights into business performance and are important for manufacturers to measure specific metrics helping them focus on what’s most important. KPIs are used to monitor the performance of...

Lean Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing methodology originated in Japan and was derived from Toyota’s 1930 operating model. It refers to a collection of processes and tools involved in production working together to minimize waste and increase production efficiency. The Lean manufacturing approach is about the elimination of waste or activities...

Machine Scheduling Software

Material utilization is a key concept for any business operating in today's fast-paced, competitive environment. By understanding the best way to use materials, kitting operations can increase efficiency and maximize the value of their raw material.

Master Production Schedule

The Master Production Schedule (MPS) serves as a crucial component in the manufacturing sector, making it an essential tool for manufacturers aiming to optimize their operations and meet delivery commitments efficiently.

Material Digital Passport

The Material Digital Passport is an innovative digital tool that encapsulates detailed information about materials used in manufacturing processes. It's akin to a Digital Product Passport, where each product has a unique digital identity, providing transparency and traceability throughout its lifecycle.

Material Utilization

Material utilization is a key concept for any business operating in today's fast-paced, competitive environment. By understanding the best way to use materials, kitting operations can increase efficiency and maximize the value of their raw material.

Material Colaboration

Manufacturing collaboration refers to the synergistic approach where companies, suppliers, and stakeholders engage in joint efforts to innovate, streamline production processes, and enhance product quality.

Manufacturing Simulation

Manufacturing simulation is a powerful technique that utilizes computer-based models to mimic and analyse the behaviour of manufacturing processes. It involves creating a virtual representation of a manufacturing system to simulate real-world scenarios, predict outcomes, and optimize various aspects of the production process.

MES

Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is an automated system used in manufacturing, to track and document the production process on the factory floor – from raw materials to finished goods. It provides full execution control, management and monitoring of factory-floor production and logistic processes. The data can be added manually...

MoM

Manufacturing Operations Management system (MOM) is the foundation for a digital smart factory, a holistic solution that provides full visibility into manufacturing processes enabling manufacturers to steadily improve manufacturing operations’ performance. As the evolution of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), a MOM system consolidates...

OEE

Overall Equipment Effectiveness, or OEE is one of the common several important metrics manufacturing managers use to improve their facilities’ effectiveness and productivity, in attempt to produce more using their existing resources. OEE is intended to be a yardstick for measuring improvement. The measure includes machines, workforce, tools and...

Operational Intelligence

Operational Intelligence (OI) is an approach to data analysis that enables decisions and actions in business operations to be based on real-time data as it’s generated or collected by companies. In addition, Operational Intelligence can be used to automatically trigger responses to specified events or conditions...

Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance monitors the performance and condition of equipment during normal operation. It allows manufacturers to monitor their machine’s performance and plan maintenance and repairs ahead of time, to reduce the likelihood of failures...

Production Downtime

Downtime in manufacturing is defined as any period of time when a machine or work-station is not in production, which can result in production delay. The total amount of downtime a factory experiences includes any stops during production that cause a loss of revenue for the company. Downtime in production is separated into two different categories...

Production Scheduling in Manufacturing

Production scheduling in manufacturing can be extremely efficient. Learn more about how this works by checking out our guide here.
Based on data from the first quarter of 2022, manufacturers contribute $2.77 trillion annually to the United States economy.

Quality Control in manufacturing

Quality control (QC) is a comprehensive process that involves inspecting products at every stage of the production process, from receiving raw materials to shipping finished goods. It is an integral part of manufacturing that ensures the products being produced meet specific standards and requirements in terms of quality, performance, and safety.

Smart Manufacturing

Smart manufacturing is the way machines, computers, employees, materials, and software interact during production processes, relying on Industry 4.0 and IIoT-based technologies. By connecting the physical and digital environments…

Shop Floor Scheduling

Shop floor scheduling refers to the process of organizing and managing manufacturing activities on the shop floor. It involves creating production schedules, assigning resources, and coordinating tasks to ensure smooth workflow management.

Supply Chain Collaboration

Supply Chain Collaboration refers to the strategic alignment and interlinking of operations and processes among various stakeholders in a supply chain. This collaboration typically involves businesses, suppliers, customers, and sometimes even competitors...

Sustainable Manufacturing (ESG)

Sustainable manufacturing refers to the adoption of practices that reduce negative environmental impacts, minimize waste, and increase efficiency throughout the manufacturing process.

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

Total Productive Maintenance is a management strategy towards equipment maintenance that strives to include the entire production workforce in maintenance efforts, moving beyond the traditional maintenance team.

Time Sensitive Materials (TSM)

Time-sensitive materials (TSM) are materials whose quality or effectiveness degrade over time and which are often kept in a controlled environment when not being used on the shop floor. For example, composite prepreg (pre-impregnated) materials are often used during various assembly and fabrication processes...

Total Quality Management (TQM)

Total Quality Management (TQM) can be defined as a management approach that strives to continually improve product and service quality for ultimate customer satisfaction. Businesses continually improve products, processes, services, and even work culture as part of the TQM approach.