Gary Mintchell

APRIL 17, 2024

All of the manufacturing automation and cybersecurity suppliers have been conducting market research that they are releasing for us all to get a sense of what customers are thinking. This one from ABB Robotics looks into the global automotive supply chain. Global ABB Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey confirms automation and robotics are crucial to the future of the industry New OEMs and start-ups lead the charge, while suppliers are lagging behind ABB’s flexible and smart solutions make a

Automotive 147

Automotive Supply Chain Manufacturing Robotics 147

Gary Mintchell

APRIL 16, 2024

Develop a new product category, hire an analyst firm to conduct some market research, and show how your new product provides benefits to customers. We see it in some “scientific” studies and also studies broadcast on TV advertisements. Here is one by a company called Makersite who touts their new approach called product lifecycle intelligence (PLI).

Supply Chain 147

Supply Chain Compliance Sourcing Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

APRIL 11, 2024

I have begun working with a software company called Quickbase. Several companies have introduced me to low-code applications. Quickbase takes it to another level. Built in, not added on due to acquisition. I’m on a panel discussion with two engineers who actually use the software. Their stories of how they use the software and the benefits of an easy way to add to the application when users ask for help are to the point.

Manufacturing 147

Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

APRIL 10, 2024

Yokogawa has sent a couple of process automation announcements recently. It’s been quiet on my radar for a few years. Nice to see some investment in product development. The first is the release of OpreX Robot Management Core, an application in the Asset Management and Integrity family. The second concerns strengthened industrial network support in CENTUM in the Control and Safety System family of solutions.

Automation 147

Automation Robotics Robotics Function 147

Gary Mintchell

APRIL 2, 2024

Fero Labs has developed software to help certain types of process manufacturing plants improve quality output economically when given a random mix of feedstock. I wrote about the company last August— A Better Way to Control Process Quality. They sent a new press release, and I must admit that I understood almost nothing in it: Fero Labs , the only Profitable Sustainability Platform for industrial optimization, announced the release of their ground-breaking feature ‘ExplainIt for Live Predictions

Composites 147

Composites Process control Function Process manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

APRIL 3, 2024

Vision software for guiding robots news goes along with the burst of robot news. In this case, AI meets vision software. AI software company Micropsi Industries today announced MIRAI 2, the latest generation of its AI-vision software for robotic automation. MIRAI 2 comes with five new features that enhance manufacturers’ ability to reliably solve automation tasks with variance in position, shape, color, lighting or background.

Robotics 147

Robotics Robotics Automation Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

APRIL 4, 2024

Technology trends form a large part of reporting here. Another trend is companies sending out questionnaires and publishing reports. This one from Xage Security asked about manufacturers’ opinions regarding zero trust adoption. Highlights: Manufacturers are worried about data sharing – 90% of respondents in the manufacturing industry are concerned with sharing data outside the organization, either via cloud services or with third parties.

Fit 147

Fit Form Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 28, 2024

Robotics news seems to present itself all the time. I’m writing this from an independent coffee house in a small town in northern Illinois. The guy at the table behind me is quoting a robotic packaging system to a client. Weird. ABB held a big unveiling day at its Auburn Hills, MI facility that had recently been refitted and upgraded. I attended virtually—just could not work out the logistics to make it physically.

Robotics 130

Robotics Robotics Logistics Beverage 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 27, 2024

Still more catching up on news from the recent MODEX trade show in Atlanta. Zebra Technologies has grown from a specialty printer company that I used for a couple of projects in the 90s to an interesting automation solutions company. It has introduced extensions to its wide range of mobile compute and connectivity devices. This news details a number of new products designed to enable quality work from your front-line workers.

Supply Chain 130

Supply Chain Logistics Automation Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 26, 2024

The amount of activity in the robotic sector continues to amaze me. Companies continue to exploit the power of partnerships to extend applications rather than trying to invent it all themselves (most companies don’t have that sort of funding to invest in extensive R&D). This news brings Comau, a Stallantis company, and RoboDK, a spinoff from the CoRo laboratory at ETS University of Montreal.

Robotics 130

Robotics Robotics Cycle time 3D printing 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 26, 2024

The 5 th annual Eclipse Foundation IoT and Edge Commercial Adoption Survey actually holds few surprise but shows ongoing trends of investment. I’m not sure if it is good news or worrisome that the C-suite seems to be more involved. These people hold the purse strings, but they also usually hold unrealistic expectations (oversold by engineers?) about the eventual benefits of technology adoption.

Sourcing 130

Sourcing Manufacturing Automation 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 20, 2024

October 2003. We had a couple of issues of our new trade publication, Automation World , out into the world. There were two user conferences the same week that month. Foxboro (Invensys at the time) held its meeting in Houston. Emerson Process gathered users in Orlando. Co-founder Jane talked it over with me. “I’m more acquainted with Emerson, so why don’t I go there, and you go to Foxboro?

Automation 130

Automation Fit Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 14, 2024

Are you the type of person who is known for getting things done? Is yours the first name that comes to mind when someone in the organization needs a report written or a light bulb replaced? Is “no” a seldom used part of your vocabulary? In other words, do you always feel busy yet not accomplishing the work that would most boost your career or inner peace?

Manufacturing 130

Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 13, 2024

Targeted at Open, Modular Process Control Systems Modular compute, switch, and I/O architecture enables interoperable standard for industrial PCs, PLCs, and distributed control systems. Supports IEC 61499 and IEC 61131 for compatibility with a wide range of automation systems. Hot-swappable modules can be replaced or upgraded while the system is running, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.

Process control 147

Process control Automation Function Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 12, 2024

Sees Boundless Automation as Industry Inflection Point to Address Data Barriers & Modernize Operations Advanced software-defined automation architecture to integrate intelligent field, edge and cloud, unlocking a new era of productivity Global automation leaders convene to learn about Boundless Automation at Emerson Exchange in Düsseldorf I seem have become sort of persona non grata by the new marketing regime at Emerson Automation group.

Automation 147

Automation Artificial Intelligence Form Sourcing 147

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 11, 2024

I first wrote about DeepHow almost a year ago. DeepHow is an AI solution for skilled trades know-how capturing and training. The video platform and capture app empowers organizations to capture their processes on a smart device, upload it into the platform via the cloud, and then leverage AI to segment, transcribe, and translate the video into steps and relevant languages for their multilingual workforce.

Apparel 147

Apparel Advanced manufacturing Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 6, 2024

Some of the increased activity in industrial robots came from the collaborative (cobot) work in Denmark. There is also work with chips and software and safety. Another area of robotic innovation comes from the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology. This is news from Omron and Danish company ROEQ. These mobile robots require innovative top modules performing much the same function of the well known grippers.

Robotics 130

Robotics Robotics Cargo Function 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 6, 2024

I have published a new podcast thinking about standards and interoperability. I’ve seen successes of industry standards. I’ve also seen industrial standards struggle to break through the logjam of large companies drive to lock customers into their ecosystem. What is the latest of OPAF and what is the meaning of Schneider Electric’s announcement of a product built with with Red Hat and IBM and development of a new computer communication standard?

Automation 130

Automation Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 1, 2024

Every time I participate in a survey the last page is an invitation to do my own survey. I think every industry marketing person has take them up on the offer. Limble CMMS has released State of Manufacturing and Facilities Maintenance Report , which reveals insights from manufacturing and facility maintenance professionals on the top challenges they face today and what their immediate focus is on.

Manufacturing 130

Manufacturing Supply Chain 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 1, 2024

New OT threat groups include VOLTZITE linked to Volt Typhoon; ransomware attacks grew 50 percent; state actors and unsophisticated hacktivist groups gained ground against OT systems. Cybersecurity companies busily conduct surveys and issue reports. This news concerns Dragos’ release of its sixth annual OT Cybersecurity Year in Review report. The report named the emergence of three new threat groups, including VOLTZITE linked to Volt Typhoon, and found that ransomware continued to be the most re

Manufacturing 130

Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

MARCH 1, 2024

Modern flow control software driver based on FDT/DTM technology extends standardized device management to mobile and OPC UA applications. Glad to see movement with the latest technology from the FDT Group. It certified the first Device Specific DTM based on FDT 3.0 standard supporting the HART protocol from Flowserve Corp. The newest certified Logix 3820 Series DTM is deployable using their positioners supporting HART 6 / 7, tackling flow control challenges designed for modern IIoT architectures

Compliance 147

Compliance Function Manufacturing Automation 147

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Here is one of my favorite companies—using “waste” bioplastic to mold those plastic eating utensils ubiquitous in fast food restaurants and picnics. They have a small operating plant and just closed an $8 million round to increase production. How many more energy and resource saving ideas are lurking out there in the minds of my readers? PlantSwitch has developed revolutionary bioplastic technology that converts cellulosic agricultural waste streams into a low-cost, compostable plastic resin alt

Fit 130

Fit Additive manufacturing Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Computing at the Edge of the network remains a crucial and growing part of a plant’s architecture. Digi International positioned itself as an enabler of data transmission for a long time. This news is a new product exploiting some of the 5G cellular technology benefits. Digi International announced market launch of Digi IX40 , a 5G edge computing industrial IoT cellular router solution.

Industry 4.0 130

Industry 4.0 Industry 4.0 Smart manufacturing Automation 130

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

People have been moaning about Boomers leaving the workforce and a coming worker gap for 20 years. Perhaps the time has arrived? How is your hiring of young people going? Now, I know that you can’t really evaluate each candidate by what marketing-designated generation they were born into. However, consider some statistics gathered by a data company who performed an analysis of TikTok and Google search data.

Manufacturing 130

Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

This news reports yet another survey of managing security risk. Cyolo , the access company for the digital enterprise, in partnership with Ponemon Institute, released a global study exploring how organizations that operate critical infrastructure, industrial control systems (ICS), and other operational technology (OT) systems are managing access and risk in an era of rising connectivity.

Manufacturing 130

Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Amazon Web Services just keeps growing in our market space. In this news Verusen , supplier of MRO optimization and collaboration products, announced joining the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate Program, a co-sell program for AWS Partners that provides software solutions that run on or integrate with AWS. The AWS ISV Accelerate Program enables Verusen to accelerate value for manufacturing customers by directly connecting with Verusen with the AWS Partner Ne

Digital manufacturing 130

Digital manufacturing Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

One of those specialty niche areas of modern compute architecture is technology to handle special needs of edge computing. ZEDEDA developed edge orchestration technology. I see that it is using some Gartner data to tie its fortunes to AI in the form of ML (machine learning). It is growing at enough pace to require additional capital funding. Emerson and Rockwell Automation are two companies in my market space that are invested in this area.

Automation 130

Automation Form Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Did you know that your new Apple watch can measure stress levels and offer ways to manage them? This was the pitch from the PR agency to get me to talk with MetaBrain Labs. Many PR agencies send press releases capitalizing on whatever the latest media frenzy watches. Many are too over the top for my focus. Mental health is a media frenzy–it is also a very real problem.

Form 130

Form Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Two major sources of technology buzz from around 2015 to 2020 or so found homes in industry consortia within The Object Management Group. I talked often with people from the IIC, aka Industry IoT Consortium , and with the Digital Twin Consortium. These were most likely too much overhead for the supporting suppliers and industry. They have merged under The Object Management Group.

Sourcing 130

Sourcing Manufacturing 130

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

All God’s children are doing surveys. They want to know what you think. This report, “Building Industrial IoT Systems in 2024,” presents data from a survey by HiveMQ, an MQTT solution provider, and my friends at IIoT World. IIoT no longer generates the buzz it did in the mid-10s of the century. Regardless, the use cases still abound for the technology. 350 professionals were surveyed across Automotive Manufacturing, Power and Utilities, Renewable Energy, Transportation and Logistics, Smart Citi

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) 147

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Logistics Automotive Automation 147

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

I began working with vision applications in the 1980s and sold and installed a few in the 1990s before the technology went bananas and prices dropped precipitously. Companies have begun investing in vision systems again with new technologies now available. This new app kit from Telit Cinterion is interesting. Vision AppKit utilizes the Alif Semiconductor Ensemble® MCU family of industry-leading Edge ML MCUs and Telit Cinterion’s power-efficient LTE-M and low-power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless te

Form 147

Form Manufacturing Automation 147

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

John Berra, former chairman of Emerson Process and the leader who assembled that group, once told me in an interview that he wished someone would write a book about the early days and development of automated process control. If he wad hinting for me, I was the wrong person. More likely it would have been my colleague Walt Boyes. But instead, John has written a book that will be out March 5— Turning the Giant: Disrupting Your Business with Persistent Innovation.

Process control 147

Process control Automation Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

Quantum Computing has been making some headlines and the tech world is fluttering about AI. Dario Gil, SVP of Research at IBM provides a cogent explanation of these technologies. Perhaps the best I’ve heard. It’s on Guy Kawasaki’s podcast. Well worth a listen. The post Quantum Computing and AI Explained appeared first on The Manufacturing Connection.

Manufacturing 147

Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

I am not attending the annual ARC Forum this year due to some travel conflicts. News does travel, though. The first Forum I attended way back in 1998 contained a strong presence of open automation from a group called OMAC (Open Modular Architecture Controller). This movement achieved a standardized HMI, especially for packaging machines and now resides within PMMI.

Automation 147

Automation Sourcing Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

I am not attending the annual ARC Forum this year due to some travel conflicts. News does travel, though. The first Forum I attended way back in 1998 contained a strong presence of open automation from a group called OMAC (Open Modular Architecture Controller). This movement achieved a standardized HMI, especially for packaging machines and now resides within PMMI.

Automation 147

Automation Function Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

I had to wade through a lot of marketing to get to the core of this news from a company that I don’t know. The company is FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation). Founded in 1956 (almost as old as me), it’s a business analytics, data science, predictive analytics company. Of interest to us is work in supply chain resiliency. The company announced more than 20 enhancements to its Platform.

Value chain 147

Value chain Supply Chain Manufacturing 147

Gary Mintchell

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

I have been wondering where ThinkIQ is going to wind up. It’s a pretty cool startup in the smart manufacturing software space (aka, MES). The company has taken an investment by Mitsubishi Corporation and a collaboration agreement to jointly accelerate the growth of ThinkIQ’s digital manufacturing platform in Japan. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Artificial Intelligence 147

Artificial Intelligence Supply Chain Smart manufacturing Industry 4.0 147