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Innovation and Technology
Plex Manufacturing Blog
The State of Smart Manufacturing: See the Report Your Competitors Are Reading
Ever wonder what your competitors are up to? Curious about what obstacles they’re dealing with and what technology they’re spending money on? You obviously can’t ask these questions, but if you could, the answers would inform your business decisions in impactful ways. After all, nobody wants to be a late adopter, starting the smart manufacturing race laps behind the rest of the industry....
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What Is An Additive Manufacturing Execution System?
Additive manufacturing (AM) is the industrial production name for 3D printing. Using computer aided design (CAD) or 3D object scanners, additive manufacturing allows for the creation of three-dimensional objects by depositing materials, usually in layers. As production continues to grow and additive manufacturing industrializes, manufacturers require effective strategies to help them manage their…
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Leverage OEE with Smart Technology to Improve Production
Overall equipment effectiveness, or OEE, represents a real opportunity for food and beverage plants to make faster and smarter business decisions. In short, OEE measures how efficient your equipment is operating against theoretical capacity. Theoretical because, in a perfect world, most machines should run at nameplate speed. Then there’s reality....
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5 Common Myths About Implementing IIoT
By now you’ve likely heard about the benefits of Industrial IoT (IIoT), and you’re probably developing your own IIoT strategy or maybe even looking for ways to deploy this technology within your organization. If my experience helping manufacturers digitize their operations with IIoT is any indication, it is likely you are starting out your journey by trying to answer the wrong question....
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Hype vs. Reality: What’s Happening with IIoT In Manufacturing?
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a technology trend that manages to be overhyped and underrated at the same time. On one hand, IIoT is overhyped because for every optimistic projection about how much of the typical production line will be automated and robotized 10 years from now, according to some experts there’s the reality that fewer than 14 percent of the machines on shop floors…
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What You Should Know about the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP): Up to $100k in Tech and Training Grants
Automotive manufacturers in Ontario, Canada can now receive funding support when they introduce new lean manufacturing or technology to their businesses through the recently opened Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP). Funding via the program is to help modernize Ontario’s automotive supply chain and make it more competitive against national and international markets....
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Why IIoT Serves a Critical Role During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The beginning of the year 2020 marks a once-in-a-lifetime health and economic event. The World Economic Forum says the economic fallout has the capacity to be on par with the Great Depression. Most experts agree that we have a long road ahead of us to ensure that future interactions will not compromise our health and safety. The likelihood of organizations being forced to operate with…
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5 Key Takeaways from the 5th Annual State of Manufacturing Technology Report
The state of manufacturing technology is one that is constantly evolving. What is true one month might not be true the next, and we have seen that volatility with the impact of COVID-19. So how do manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve to drive growth and stay ahead of competition?...
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4 Ways to Improve the Quality of Supply Chain Planning
The rise of automation, shop floor analytics, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have impacted the manufacturing industry and enhanced production with the introduction of timely data for more informed decision making. But what about major shifts like enhanced in-car connectivity, growing demand for electric vehicles, or adjusting to changing customer preferences? Are manufacturers…
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CES for Manufacturers: Key Takeaways for Industrial Application
I recently spent three days walking the halls of CES 2020 (the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, and I can only describe it in one word: "insane." With over 2 million square feet of exhibits, 4,400 vendors, and 180,000 attendees, I felt even after three dedicated days, dozens of miles of walking, and one big blister, I still only scratched the surface. ...
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