The promise of Industry 4.0 is being realized in the automotive industry, and BMW is at the forefront of the evolution of automated production. At last year’s American Manufacturing Summit, Dirk Hilgenberg, VP, Assembly at BMW shared with us how BMW is incorporating Industry 4.0 concepts to innovate at each stage of the production process, from design to post-market.
Read More →3 Technologies that are Rapidly Changing the Supply Chain Landscape
At Generis’ 2017 American Supply Chain Summit, Dave Malenfant, Director of the Center for Supply Chain Innovation at Texas Christian University, shared with us the three most disruptive technologies that are changing the supply chain industry today: 3D printing, drones, and driverless trucks.
Read More →Enabling the Digital Thread: Is your Organization Ready?
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 across traditionally siloed functional perspectives. It is the digital thread that connects product design, supply chain, production, and maintenance services and allows for a truly smart factory, delivering “the right information to the right place at the right time.” Is your enterprise prepared for the smart factory evolution?
Read More →Smart Factory Transformation: Tips from Arconic, Raytheon, DARPA and Forcam
At the 2016 American Aerospace & Defense Summit, Forcam’s Director of Business Development, John Mack, discussed the Smart Factory Transformation Checklist with our panel of aerospace & defense thought leaders, who have witnessed transformations in their own organizations. Read on to hear the lessons they have learned along the way, including how to achieve buy-in, what to automate, how to start your transformation, aligning your smart factory transformation to your business goals, and what metrics to pay attention to. Panel: John Mack, Director of Business Development, Forcam Jan Vandenbrande, Program Manager, DARPA J. Wade Keith III, Quality & Mission Assurance Staff Executive, Raytheon Missile Systems Markus Heinimann, VP, Engineered Product & Process Technology, Arconic
Read More →iBASEt: Following the Digital Thread Into the Future
What is the digital thread? The digital thread links systems used to execute and track design, engineering, manufacturing and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), establishing a seamless flow of information from product conception to delivery and beyond. The concept of the digital thread was spearheaded by the military aircraft industry, from its desire to improve the performance of future programs by applying lessons learned. Why is it important? With the emergence of the Industrial Internet of Things, smart manufacturing, and automation, it is integral to create a communication framework that connects data flow from initial design to development. “The digital thread brings customers, vendors, and suppliers close, tying them into holistic feedback and evaluation loops. To learn more about the Digital Thread, read Tom Hennessey’s (Vice President of Marketing at iBASEt) article on Following the Digital Thread Into the Future.
Read More →The Smart Factory Transformation Checklist
Share this on Twitter! This Smart Factory Transformation checklist is adapted from a presentation by Forcam at our 2016 American Aerospace & Defense Summit.
Read More →Automated Precision Inc.’s Ebook: Measuring in the Aerospace Industry
API’s latest ebook takes a look at measurement in the Aerospace industry. It explores the following: Main measurement challenges for manufacturers in the aerospace industry today Best practices when creating a measurement plan Quality adherence: how to achieve the highest standards in the industry Common misconceptions around laser trackers Portable measuring systems: observed outcomes To access their ebook and to learn more about Automated Precision Inc. (API), click here.
Read More →XPO’s Whitepaper: Aerospace Logistics
XPO Logistics has partnered with a major Aerospace company whose rotorcraft manufacturing unit recognized an opportunity to successfully increase efficiency at its manufacturing operations. The aerospace company’s plant held 20 storage areas that occupied significant space and delayed the flow of goods to the manufacturing line. In addition to that, assembly mechanics spent excess time looking for and unpacking individual parts and disposing of packaging materials, which increased the cost of labor. In order to increase efficiency within the Rotorcraft manufacturing unit, XPO implemented a comprehensive solution that supported Lean manufacturing strategies, including: Off-campus storage of all materials Management of more than 85,000 SKUs of high-value inventory Assembly of tools and parts into ergonomically designed prefabricated kits JIT delivery of material tot he point-of-use location XPO’s major engagements with this aerospace client include a defense contract, a rotorcraft contract, support in the launching of a new commercial airliner, and the creation of both an aggregated standards network and a comprehensive aftermarket support network for both current and legacy aircraft models. To read more about XPO’s partnership, click here.
Read More →Siemen’s White paper: Accelerating Aircraft Systems Development with Model-based Engineering
Technology has revolutionized the commercial and military aviation industry rapidly. Though drastic development has been made, major challenges still exist. Current development concepts have nearly reached their limit, and in order to keep up with tomorrow’s air traffic demand, new technologies and concepts will be needed. Challenges include the limited availability of energy resources while reducing carbon footprint, managing climate change and congestion, which will require an increase in safety and security requirements. In order to achieve success and security, the aviation industry as a whole must work together to implement a major shift and reinvent itself. Accelerating aircraft systems development with model-based engineering is the first place to start in the process of creating a paradigm shift in the industry. To read more on using model-based engineering to envision new design concepts and technologies in the aviation industry, read Siemen’s white paper, here.
Read More →Ahead of the Curve: Disruptive Technologies in the Medical Device Market
Technia Transcat believes the medical device industry is continually evolving. Disruptive technologies are causing a paradigm shift in the development of new devices, influencing which businesses will enter this segment of Life Sciences, and who they will market their innovative devices to. In addition, what is also critical to the medical device industry is addressing the “Soft Business” disruptive modernizations. Organizations must implement internal processes and organizational behavioral changes in order to sustain a competitive advantage and continue to grow through organic means in an industry challenged with reducing costs associated with risks of regulatory compliance and certification of supply chain solidity. Technia Transcat and Generis have teamed up to create an ebook that explores how technology is changing the medical device industry and how to harness and embrace this technological change. To access the ebook, click here.
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