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manufacturers

Manufacturers need to rebuild digital supply chain visibility after Covid-19, say WMG and Blue Yonder

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Manufacturers must unlock supply chain visibility to rebuild after the Covid-19 pandemic, WMG and Blue Yonder are warning.

The pandemic has disrupted supply and demand in many ways, from factory and border closures to swings in consumer needs, and those without supply chain visibility have been struggling to adapt and keep up.

Digital supply chain technologies perform a vital role across all stages of manufacturing, from sourcing materials and quality control to warehouses and shipping. [Read more…] about Manufacturers need to rebuild digital supply chain visibility after Covid-19, say WMG and Blue Yonder

New Mitsubishi website offers advice on digital manufacturing investments

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Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled a new-look website which offers advice on digital manufacturing investments.

The industrial giant, which is also one of the world’s largest robot makers, says Industry 4.0 and digital processes are “indispensable for future manufacturing growth”.

It says that, while many companies understand the importance of automation, they sometimes struggle to make it a reality. They need a strong partner with the know-how to guide them. [Read more…] about New Mitsubishi website offers advice on digital manufacturing investments

Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

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By John Hayes, Balyo USA

Economic policies from Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0, and connected warehouses point to the imperative to lower costs, increase productivity, and guarantee quality. There are as many forklift truck operator positions to be filled as there are IT developer and R&D engineer jobs combined.

In the United States, 65 percent of the businesses surveyed by Deloitte (as part of its annual Supply Chain report) noted that it is “extremely difficult” to hire qualified warehouse labor.

Moving pallets is expensive. One of the global Fast Moving Customer Goods (FMCG) leaders estimates spending “almost 380 million dollars per year” for tasks that create no additional value for the business. [Read more…] about Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

Elementary Robotics unveils ‘industry’s first’ cloud-based AI camera system

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Elementary Robotics, a rapidly-growing AI vision startup, has unveiled what it claims is the first AI camera system for cloud-based inspection.

The new system, which combines software, deep learning AI, and camera systems make it “faster and easier” for manufacturers to use.

The company also appointed Monique Apter as EVP of sales and marketing and Milind Karnik as EVP of engineering. [Read more…] about Elementary Robotics unveils ‘industry’s first’ cloud-based AI camera system

Siemens, IBM and Red Hat launch cloud initiative to ‘increase real-time value of industrial data’

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Siemens, IBM and Red Hat have launched a new collaboration that will use a hybrid cloud designed to deliver an open, flexible and more secure solution for manufacturers and plant operators to “drive real-time value from operational data”.

In one month, a single manufacturing site can generate more than 2,200 terabytes of data according to a report by IBM – yet most data goes unanalyzed.

Through the joint initiative, Siemens Digital Industries Software will apply IBM’s open hybrid cloud approach, built on Red Hat OpenShift, to extend the deployment flexibility of MindSphere, the industrial internet of things as a service solution from Siemens. [Read more…] about Siemens, IBM and Red Hat launch cloud initiative to ‘increase real-time value of industrial data’

Universal Robots launches first virtual expo on automating machine tending with collaborative robots

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Universal Robots will host its first virtual expo on automating machine tending tasks with collaborative robots.

The two-day Machine Tending Expo February 23-24 focuses on manufacturers looking for concrete insights on deploying cobots to tend machines such as CNC, press brakes, injection molding machines or 3D printers.

In live demos, keynotes and interactive booth sessions with exhibiting partners, Universal Robots offers solutions on how to seamlessly implement cobots, tackling the labor shortage, while improving crucial machine uptime. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches first virtual expo on automating machine tending with collaborative robots

Why Manufacturers Should Consider Using a Cloud-based MES Platform

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Traditional manufacturing execution systems are deployed on a single machine that might be networked to a handful of terminals inside of a machine shop.

While this made sense in an era before widespread Internet adoption, it’s hopelessly dated today. Few people have the technology needed to turn their smart devices into antique telnet clients, and there are even less who would want to.

Cloud-based technology is a much better alternative, but adoption has been surprisingly slow. That’s causing many industry sectors to play a dizzyingly fast game of catch-up. [Read more…] about Why Manufacturers Should Consider Using a Cloud-based MES Platform

Quality Auditing in the Automotive Industry

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Every industry requires stringent quality control and certification for improved product quality.

The automotive industry is no different. In fact, in particular, the industry cannot afford to miss. Not just for enhanced customer experience but also the safety of the vehicle owners and pedestrians.

When it comes to the automotive industry, standards can become complicated or obsolete real quick as customer expectations frequently change with technology trends and craving for new hanging personalized experiences. [Read more…] about Quality Auditing in the Automotive Industry

ForwardX launches six new autonomous mobile robots

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ForwardX Robotics has launched six new products under its Max range of autonomous mobile robots: Max 300 Lift Lite, Max 300 Conveyor, Max 600 Conveyor, Max 1200 Standard, Max 1200 Lift, and Max 1200 Conveyor.

All the new robots are built to safely and efficiently automate material handling within production and warehousing facilities. The product launch coincided with ForwardX’s appearance at CeMAT Asia last month, where the new products were on show for visitors to see.

Nicolas Chee, founder and CEO of ForwardX Robotics, says: “At ForwardX, our goal has always been to develop mature solutions that actually deliver real value right now. We understand that the manufacturing industry is a complex one with a variety of circumstances and pain points specific to each manufacturer. [Read more…] about ForwardX launches six new autonomous mobile robots

EasyMile and Kalray expand autonomous mobility partnership

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Autonomous technology provider EasyMile and intelligent processors supplier Kalray have deepened their relationship with the signature of a deal formalizing their relationship to develop intelligent systems.

The partnership follows their work together in the 10-partner-strong ES3CAP collaborative project, led by Kalray and announced in 2019.

The ES3CAP program, with a budget of €22.2 million over three years, aims to build a hardware and software platform intended for manufacturers developing critical applications requiring high computing capacity in the fields of aeronautics (aviation, flying cabs, UAVs), defense and, autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about EasyMile and Kalray expand autonomous mobility partnership