🚀 Shaping the Future - Issue 19
Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we unveil the distinguished guests and topics to be featured at the conference.
🚨 The Industry 4.0 Club will be at ATX West
ATX West returns to Anaheim, California, on February 6-8, 2024, uniting the greatest minds in automation to advance manufacturing excellence. We’re happy to inform you that the Industry 4.0 Club will be hosting the Advanced Engineering panels.
Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we unveil the distinguished guests and topics to be featured at the conference. Don't miss out – registration is now open. Secure your spot to be part of this conference.
👩🔧 Tech For Good: Customers and Beyond
Last week’s Women in Manufacturing episode featured Sheila Kester from Twin Thread, and emphasized the importance of good quality data for effective AI and machine learning applications. Big data doesn't necessarily have to be excessively large but should have enough variation and quality. The conversation also delved into specific use cases in manufacturing, focusing on quality improvement, reducing unplanned downtime, and optimizing cycle times.
You can listen to the conversation below or watch the show here.
📝 People Risk: An Overlooked Dimension in Digital Transformation
Successful organizations in modern digital transformations leverage a hybrid approach of holistic performance measurement and rigorous process reengineering. They recognize the pivotal role of people's skills in achieving a successful transition and sustaining operations. However, sourcing and retaining these skills must be financially viable to avoid burdensome operational costs. The dilemma lies in either recruiting talent externally, posing risks of high salaries and employee satisfaction concerns, or adopting a skills-first approach, focusing on upskilling current employees. The latter, gaining prominence, offers a cost-effective solution to enhance the workforce's capabilities while mitigating the people risks associated with obtaining advanced technology skill sets during digital transformation programs.
📣 Preview of Upcoming Advanced Engineering Sessions at ATX West 2024
In the weeks ahead, we will be revealing the lineup of Advanced Engineering sessions scheduled for ATX West, set to unfold in Anaheim, California, from February 6-8, 2024.
📌 Title: Managing Your Machine Maintenance Program Instead Of It Managing You
📝 Abstract: Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance are “hot topics” in factory automation. But what are they, and how do users get started? The number and range of solutions is growing, and knowing where to start and finding the “right” solution can be confusing and difficult.
👤 Presenter: Thomas Knauer, Global Industry Manager
✍️ Bio: Tom Knauer has more than 30 years’ experience in the industrial automation industry, with equipment/solution suppliers including GE Fanuc, Parker Hannifin, Omron STI and Balluff. His focus is on product management and business development for sensors, safety and networking. Recent activities include work on robotic, general factory automation and condition monitoring solutions and market development. Tom leads Balluff’s activities to evaluate and understand changes in robot and factory automation technologies and the marketplace, and he directs Balluff’s strategy and technology development path based on this information.
📚What we’ve read this week
McKinsey’s Industrial Global Resilience Survey [McKinsey]
OpenAI announces leadership transition [ OpenAI]
The board of directors of OpenAI, Inc., the 501(c)(3) that acts as the overall governing body for all OpenAI activities, today announced that Sam Altman will depart as CEO and leave the board of directors. Mira Murati, the company’s chief technology officer, will serve as interim CEO, effective immediately. Mr. Altman’s departure follows a deliberative review process by the board, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities. The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI.
Industrial Automation Software Management on AWS [AWS Blog]
AWS addresses challenges and best practices in programming and maintaining automation code in factories and warehouses, focusing on traditional complexities involving PLCs, robot programming, and equipment control logic. Amazon Web Services proposes solutions through modern DevOps, Digital Twin, and Virtual Commissioning technologies, allowing for the development, testing, commissioning, and maintenance of automation code. By utilizing Git-based source control on the AWS cloud, engineers can manage code from various vendors and languages, facilitating logic comparison, merging, reviews, and commenting. The advantages of AWS in automation code management encompass reliability, remote accessibility, reduced downtime, systematic code reviews, scalability, flexibility, enhanced security, and cost savings.
Evaluating Labor Demand In The Transition To EVs [CMU]
The transition from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to electric vehicles (EVs) prompts concerns about economic and environmental sustainability. A study comparing the manufacturing labor involved in producing key powertrain components for both ICEVs and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reveals that BEV powertrain components are more labor-intensive across all scenarios. Contrary to fears of job loss, the research suggests that vehicle electrification could result in increased employment in powertrain manufacturing, at least in the short- to medium-term.
Factory Site Acceptance Testing and Debugging [Assembly]
In the automation and assembly machine development process, the debug, checkout, and startup phases play pivotal roles. Debugging involves identifying and fixing malfunctions, checkout ensures proper machine functionality testing, and startup initiates production. While efforts are made to streamline debugging through structured methods and communication, tight schedules and unforeseen challenges can create stress, especially in industries like lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicle manufacturing. Following debugging, the factory acceptance test (FAT) ensures compliance with contractual specifications before shipping to the customer. Thorough testing and documentation aim to prevent post-deployment issues. After FAT, the equipment undergoes disassembly for shipment, and a site acceptance test (SAT) is conducted at the customer's location to verify expected functionality.
🎤 Upcoming Events
👋 Get Involved
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💬 About Shaping the Future
Shaping the Future is Industry 4.0 Club’s official newsletter. We’ll be experiencing different formats over the coming weeks until we find the one that resonates the most with our members. You can help us improve by sharing feedback and suggestions. The newsletter will land in your inbox every Sunday morning; please subscribe to not miss anything and forward the email to someone you think would benefit from this.
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