🚀 Shaping the Future - Issue 29
🚨1 Day until IME West 2024 🚨- Join Us in Anaheim from Tuesday February 6th to Thursday 8th, 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
🚨1 day until IME West 2024
Elevating The World of Advanced Manufacturing
ATX West returns to Anaheim, California, from Tuesday February 6th to Thursday 8th, 2024, uniting the greatest minds in automation to advance manufacturing excellence. The Industry 4.0 Club will be hosting the Advanced Engineering panels.Don't miss out – registration is now open. Secure your spot to be part of this conference.
✍️ Questions to Ask to Accelerate the Adoption of Industry 4.0
Adopting new Industry 4.0 tools can be challenging. Despite lower costs for these tools as technology has evolved, their adoption is slow or non-existent. Leaders are asking themselves what they should be doing to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 tools.
It is through these questions that leaders will develop in their subordinates effective problem-solving skills and create a strong learning environment that embraces new Industry 4.0 tools to help achieve business goals.
🧠 Quarterly Trends and Analysis
In last week’s Future of Manufacturing, our hosts highlighted the prominence of generative, geopolitical concerns, economic uncertainties, and the challenges of regulatory hurdles in the manufacturing industry.
Ira and Jan also concluded with a reflection on the evolving landscape of AI, industry 4.0, and the potential impacts on the future of driving.
You can watch the conversation below.
🧑🏭Technology that Drives Sustainability
Last week’s Fireside Chat discussed about the advancements made by SolaBlock, a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology company, highlighting achievements such as Underwriters Laboratory certification and collaboration with RPI. The conversation also touched upon CESMII and its role in supporting companies like SolaBlock in setting up smart manufacturing facilities, something that can benefit many technology providers in our ecosystem.
You can watch the conversation below.
📣 Preview of Upcoming Advanced Engineering Sessions at ATX West 2024
We unveil the eleventh reveal of the Advanced Engineering sessions scheduled for ATX West, set to unfold in Anaheim, California, from February 6-8, 2024.
📌 Title: The Intersection of Lean and Industry 4.0
📝 Abstract: Highly successful companies have been deploying Lean for decades and it has helped them achieve remarkable business results. The success these companies have achieved are in part because they have been steadfast in their deployment of Lean. Industry 4.0 has introduced technology to manufacturers that a decade ago was too expensive and took too long to implement. Today, technology solutions cost much less, and the technology is often quick to implement. These Lean companies are at a crossroads: should they shift from Lean to Industry 4.0?
Dr, Jeffrey K. Liker, Distinguished Professor, Author, and Lean expert, says, “In the 1990s Toyota’s principles of production equipment became “simple, slim, and flexible,” which some people might interpret as “go slow and be cautious in adopting new technology.” In today’s age of lightning speed technological change, particularly in the digital world, I believe that would be a mistake. The real message here is: "adopt and adapt technology that supports your people and processes." The starting point is this: where are real needs that technology can address to help achieve your goals? This is a question of pulling technology based on the opportunity, instead of pushing the technology because it is the latest fad.”
During this session, we will explore the intersection of Lean and Industry 4.0 and discuss how to integrate Industry 4.0 into your Lean deployment.
🙋Speaker: Mike Ungar, CEO, Industry 4.0 Club
✍️ Bio: Mike Ungar is a FocalPoint Business Coach and Executive Coach helping business leaders improve their profitability and achieve their personal and professional goals. Mike is also Chairman of the Industry 4.0 Club whose purpose is to engage the power of diverse worldwide talent to accelerate the global evolution to Industry 4.0.
After graduating from the United States Military Academy, he served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army. Upon completion of his military service, Mike joined Michelin North America. In his 35 years at Michelin, Mike coached teams from all areas of business (manufacturing, research and development, sales and marketing, and support services) as well as in a variety of countries and cultures (France, Germany, Romania, Northern Ireland, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the United States). He also led teams in manufacturing, continuous improvement, and personnel. Mike has leveraged his coaching experience with Lean techniques to develop sustained continuous improvement culture through the engagement of people.
Mike is on the Board of the Upstate Veteran’s Business Network and helps Veterans Transitioning to Civilian life. He is a member of the Workplace Advisory Council to the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding and is co-chair of the Greenville Society of Human Resource Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee.
📚What we’ve read this week
Four Questions Leaders Should Ask to Accelerate the Adoption of Industry 4.0 [MX.0 Media]
The article underscores the significance of creating a learning environment and driving a mindset shift to effectively leverage Industry 4.0 tools for business success. Adopting new Industry 4.0 tools can be challenging. Despite lower costs for these tools as technology has evolved, their adoption is slow or non-existent. Leaders are asking themselves what they should be doing to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 tools. First, expose teams to the technology through internal labs, external visits, or conferences. While this is a necessary step, it is not sufficient. Leaders must also be asking individuals and teams four key questions to help accelerate the use and adoption of Industry 4.0 tools. It is through these questions that leaders will develop in their subordinates effective problem-solving skills and create a strong learning environment that embraces new Industry 4.0 tools to help achieve business goals.
Policy Outlook 2024: What’s on Manufacturers’ Minds [Manufacturing Dive]
Major manufacturing industry groups in Washington, D.C., are focused on key concerns in their interactions with policymakers. Firstly, they emphasize the need for federal funding and defense spending, particularly within aerospace and defense industries, with a $1.66 trillion appropriations deal for fiscal year 2024 supporting initiatives like the Manufacturing USA program and defense innovation. Secondly, the industry calls for a balanced transition between Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicles (EV), expressing concerns about state-level bans on gas-powered vehicles by 2035 potentially hindering emissions reduction efforts. Lastly, there's a growing emphasis on visibility and regulatory balance in the chemical sector, with increased oversight of substances like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at both federal and state levels, prompting industry groups to seek a more measured regulatory approach.
How One Mine Could Unlock Billions in EV Subsidies [MIT]
Talon Metals is seeking regulatory approval to access one of the densest nickel deposits in the United States and to establish the nation's first complete domestic nickel supply chain. One of the main beneficiaries would be battery manufacturers, particularly those using Talon's nickel. They could potentially secure more than $8 billion in tax credits, with a significant portion likely going to EV giant Tesla who has already committed to purchasing tens of thousands of metric tons of nickel from the proposed mine. Talon's mining project, if approved, would involve extracting nickel-rich ore that could be used to produce lithium-ion batteries for approximately 2.4 million electric vehicles. The ore would then be processed and converted into highly refined forms, potentially earning significant subsidies for the companies involved in these processes. In addition to the potential IRA subsidies, Talon Metals has secured federal grants to support its projects, including nearly $115 million from the Department of Energy to build a nickel processing site in North Dakota and $21 million through the Defense Production Act for further nickel exploration.
Additive Casting Delivers Cheaper Lighter Cold Plate To OEM [TCT]
An automotive manufacturer collaborated with Continental Engineering Services and Enable Manufacturing to create an electronics cold plate using additive casting technology to minimize size and mass. The key features of this development include consolidating two parts into one, implementing an organic artery topology for optimal flow paths and reduced wall thicknesses, and incorporating conformal cooling and a water jacket to maintain consistent temperatures for the electronics. Binder jet 3D printing technology was used to create complex molds, and different materials were used for specific components. The additive cast electronic cold plate components offer several advantages over traditional methods, including consolidation, up to 25% weight reduction, a 50% cost saving, and saving 7kg of embedded carbon for each part, potentially leading to significant CO2 emissions reductions. After nine months of development and series production approval, up to 750 units of the additively cast pieces were ordered, with plans to install them in cars by Q3 of 2024.
Eager for Economic Wins, Biden to Announce Billions for Chips [WSJ]
Despite over 170 firms applying for funding from the $53 billion Chips Act, only two small grants have been issued. Anticipated larger grants, potentially in the billions, are expected before President Biden's March 7 State of the Union address, showcasing economic achievements. Concerns include permitting delays, with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) posing a significant hurdle, requiring time-consuming environmental reviews before grant releases. A Senate bill to exempt major Chips Act projects from NEPA has yet to gain traction. Negotiations face challenges due to unclear program rules, concerns about China-related conditions, profit-sharing, wage considerations, and the industry predicts a shortage of 67,000 workers by 2030, complicating chip manufacturing timelines.
🎤 Upcoming Events
👋 Get Involved
Join the Industry 4.0 Club and be part of our vibrant community, dedicated to shaping the future of manufacturing. By actively participating, you can make a meaningful impact in advancing Industry 4.0 and contribute to reshaping the manufacturing landscape.
We’re always looking for new contributors to share their expertise, experience and spread the word. You can contact us directly at info@industry40club.com with subject like “Getting Involved” and follow us on all social media (LinkedIn & Twitter) or donate to help fund the club’s activities.
💬 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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