The Internet of Things (IoT) promises to enable many new business models. In industrial markets, the concepts of IoT, or Industrial IoT (IIoT), are already gaining traction. At the simplest level, for example, IIoT provides the ability to more closely monitor a production line in near real time, or manage buildings and their associated plants more efficiently. IIoT also offers the ability to radically change your whole business approach. While it is easy to grasp the basic concepts behind any IIoT implementation, if you dig a little deeper there are a significant number of decisions to make in the way it will operate. For example, a cloud platform might well be able to establish trend lines on how often a motor is switched on/off to activate a conveyor belt, but does it need to rely on the cloud platform to tell it when to turn on or off?
Read More →The Adaptive Machine: Cultivating a ‘green patch’ in your brownfield
Despite the well-documented advantages of digital transformation and smart factories, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. Cultivating a green patch in your brownfield can be a good way to start. A green patch is bigger than a pilot project, because it is a full-scale production system, but it is a small investment than a greenfield. Typically, the project scope would be one line or cell. We talked with John Kowal, Director of Business Development at B&R Industrial Automation, a global supplier of advanced machine control solutions, about adaptive machines and how to cultivate a green patch within a brown field.
Read More →Empowering Smart Manufacturers with IIoT Centric Results – A Memex Ebook
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or Industry 4.0 as some call it is all about real-time data that can be shared by Operators and Engineering, Production and Management teams to improve productivity and ultimately profit. To do that, every machine, whether old or new, must be embraced as a node on the corporate network. Once that connectivity occurs data starts flowing. Everyone on the shop floor right up to the top floor can take advantage of dashboard reports on any Web-enabled device to check the status of single or multi-plant operations to any level of detail they require. We asked Memex, what is your advice to manufacturers who are trying to stay ahead of their competitors in such a fast-paced industry, especially in the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) era?
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 →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 →Memex: Measuring Manufacturing Excellence
“MEMEX is a globally recognized industry leader. Its smart manufacturing tool-kit makes data-driven manufacturing happen every day for customers intent on realizing the promise of IIoT and Industry 4.0. MERLIN Tempus software is the foundation of that tool-kit. MERLIN delivers a 10%-50% average productivity increase and achieves payback in less than four months with an Internal Rate of Return greater than 300%. Memex has been recognized as a global leader in the manufacturing M2M (machine-to-machine) field and is continuously improving its products to better suit the needs of the manufacturing world. Its flagship product, MERLIN, is the premier industrial Internet platform solution for manufacturing. It is a hardware and software machine monitoring solution, a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and is an industrial Internet communications platform that connects the last meter to the machine. Memex maintains an active R & D department where it is able to manufacture its products, provide technical support, develop software and provide training.”
Read More →Whitepaper: Smart Quality Management, Industry 4.0 and Quality Management Systems
In order to remain competitive in the rapidly-evolving Industry 4.0 landscape, most companies will be required to make technological changes. In the medical device industry, there are a number of unique considerations this technological change presents. This whitepaper, written by Pilgrim Quality Solutions and produced by Generis, explores the impact Industry 4.0 will have on the medical device industry, and how to make the shift to ‘Quality 4.0’. It explores areas where medical device manufacturers should focus investment; the impact on product validation and regulatory and quality compliance; and how Quality Leaders can embed operational quality into risk processes that are outside of traditional QMS. View the whitepaper to explore: Industry 4.0 – What is Industry 4.0 and What is Driving it – The Smart Factory, Cyberphysical Systems, and the Internet of Things – Effect on Products and Processes Implications for the Medical Device Industry – Focus on Digital Technologies – Data Security – Investing in Change Impact on Validation, Regulatory & Quality Compliance – Validating Smart Products – FDA Guidance – Understanding the Quality Impact of the Smart Factory – Embedding Quality in the Value Chain How to Move Toward Smart Quality Management – The Need for Automated, Operational Quality Risk Management – How Quality Leaders Can Gain Organizational Support for Quality 4.0 Initiatives – Quality 4.0 Investments to Support Industry 4.0 – Strategic Objectives Smart Quality Management, Industry 4.0 and Quality Management Systems
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