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manufacturing software

Top 7 AI Agent Platforms for Industrial Manufacturing in 2026

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Manufacturing has entered a new phase of digital transformation. Over the past decade, factories invested heavily in IoT sensors, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), industrial analytics, and predictive maintenance solutions.

These technologies generated unprecedented operational visibility, allowing manufacturers to monitor equipment, production lines, quality metrics, and material flows in real time.

Production managers still spend countless hours reviewing dashboards, comparing reports, coordinating maintenance activities, responding to quality deviations, adjusting production schedules, and balancing resource constraints. [Read more…] about Top 7 AI Agent Platforms for Industrial Manufacturing in 2026

Limitless Labs raises $20 million to expand AI platform for CNC programming and precision manufacturing

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Limitless Labs, a developer of AI software for CNC programming and precision manufacturing, has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round to expand its physical AI platform and accelerate deployment across the manufacturing sector.

The round was co-led by Dell Technologies Capital and Square Peg, with participation from Grove Ventures, Meron Capital, and Kinetica.

Formerly known as LimitlessCNC, the company has developed what it describes as an agentic AI platform that works inside existing CAD/CAM software, helping manufacturers automate and standardize CNC programming while retaining human oversight. [Read more…] about Limitless Labs raises $20 million to expand AI platform for CNC programming and precision manufacturing

How Equipment Asset Management Practices Must Evolve for Industry 4.0 to Deliver on its Promise

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Industry 4.0 carries an enormous promise. Connected sensors feeding real-time data into intelligent systems, machines that predict their own failures, production lines that self-optimise in response to demand signals, supply chains that adjust without human intervention. The technology is real, the investment is substantial, and the case studies are credible.

So why are so many manufacturers still fighting the same battles they were fighting a decade ago? Why does unplanned downtime still cost Fortune 500 companies an estimated $1.4 trillion per year, according to the Siemens True Cost of Downtime 2024 report?

Why do maintenance teams with IIoT sensors on half their assets still spend most of their time reacting to failures rather than preventing them?

The answer, more often than not, has nothing to do with the sensors or the algorithms. It has to do with the asset management infrastructure underneath them. The EAM layer, the systems, data models, and practices that govern how equipment records, spare parts catalogues, work orders, and maintenance decisions are organised and acted on, was built for a different era. [Read more…] about How Equipment Asset Management Practices Must Evolve for Industry 4.0 to Deliver on its Promise

Why most automation programmes plateau between cell and line

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A Tier 1 automotive supplier with three plants across central Europe finished its 2025 capex review with a slide that had been written four years running.

Eighty-six robots installed across the body-in-white area, cycle time at every cell inside its commissioning envelope, OEE figures the line manager could quote without checking.

Then, on the next slide, a line-level throughput figure that had moved 4% in three years against a planned 22%. The robotics team was performing. The line was not. The audit, when it came, traced the same pattern across all three plants. [Read more…] about Why most automation programmes plateau between cell and line

Why AI Agents Could Be the Missing Link Between Factory Automation and Real Results?

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A recent report from Eclipse Automation delivered a finding that will frustrate anyone who has spent the last five years investing in factory technology.

While automation is now widespread across North American manufacturing, only a small fraction of businesses are achieving meaningful outcomes from it.

Machines are moving faster, arms are picking more accurately, and conveyor systems run around the clock, yet the productivity needle, for many, barely moves. [Read more…] about Why AI Agents Could Be the Missing Link Between Factory Automation and Real Results?

Ency launches new version of its CAD software with ‘120 Improvements’

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Ency 2.7 is now available, delivering 120 changes across workflow improvements and bug fixes. This release strengthens additive workflows with the new Power parameter for Non-planar slicing, adds support for new robot families, and improves everyday usability – especially when reporting issues to technical support.  [Read more…] about Ency launches new version of its CAD software with ‘120 Improvements’

Contact Software partners with Razorleaf to streamline product design and operations

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In highly competitive global markets, manufacturing companies strive to automate their processes and accelerate their product launches. Now, industrial applications provider Contact Software joins forces with Razorleaf to help them achieve these goals.

The strategic partnership combines Contact’s composable Elements platform with Razorleaf’s in-depth knowledge of the North American market and proven expertise in consulting and implementing digital thread solutions.

Together, they bring single-platform PLM, MES, and IIoT solutions to manufacturing companies, empowering them to design, manufacture, and operate Smart Products more efficiently and improve customer satisfaction. [Read more…] about Contact Software partners with Razorleaf to streamline product design and operations

MES & Industry 4.0 Summit kicks off in Porto with global manufacturing leaders

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The MES & Industry 4.0 International Summit, hosted by Critical Manufacturing, officially opened its doors yesterday at the iconic Alfândega Congress Centre in Porto, Portugal.

Set against the scenic backdrop of the Douro River, the two-day summit is welcoming manufacturing and technology leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, uncover strategies, and engage in deep conversations around digital transformation.

This year’s edition, themed “Connecting Global Manufacturing Champions”, features two dynamic days of thought leadership, live demonstrations, collaborative workshops, and practical insights. [Read more…] about MES & Industry 4.0 Summit kicks off in Porto with global manufacturing leaders

6 Tips to Get Manufacturing Automation Right

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The demand for industrial products keeps increasing daily. Besides industrial products, manufacturing industries constantly seek the best way to improve their services and provide customers with the desired satisfaction.

It’s not enough to employ automation processes – many factors have to be considered to get the best. Mistakes and errors are common in setting up manufacturing automation processes. There are also technical slips and lapses, even when using cloud-based manufacturing software. [Read more…] about 6 Tips to Get Manufacturing Automation Right

MBX unveils hardware manufacturing orchestration software

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Custom computing solutions manufacturer MBX Systems has unveiled its new hardware manufacturing orchestration software.

The company has introduced the platform at the I/ITSEC conference a couple of months ago.

MBX Systems will showcase an advanced software toolset called Hatch that provides industry-first hardware manufacturing orchestration and visibility for companies using MBX’s engineering and manufacturing services to deploy their solutions.  [Read more…] about MBX unveils hardware manufacturing orchestration software