March 2021

3/31/2021 - BY: GEORGE SINGOS
Manufacturing continues to evolve and advance at a rapid pace. As some are keeping up by incorporating new innovations and practices into facilities, other more reluctant companies are quickly falling behind. It is clear that manufacturers – especially smaller companies – require additional guidance for approaching the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To help Michigan manufacturers successfully prepare for such implementations, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recently launched its Industry 4.0 Signature Initiative. 

3/26/2021 - BY: KARA KUCINSKI
This March marks one year since the nation recognized the threat of COVID-19 and shut-downs across the world changed both personal and working lives forever. Now one year into the pandemic, the ways of doing business are in many ways unrecognizable to how they once were, as companies of all kinds were forced to transform practices to stay afloat while staying safe. During the course of the year since COVID-19 hit, several themes and new practices emerged as businesses and individuals adapted to different ways of living and working.

3/24/2021 - THE CENTER
Through our weekly Industry 4.0 Foundations blog series, we’ve explored how the many Industry 4.0 technologies can assist manufacturers in all types of improvement initiatives. In this final installment of the series, we’ll discuss how establishing Cybersecurity can ensure these technologies, and the critical information they carry, stay secure and protected.

3/19/2021 - BY: MARK GETTEL
In our most recent Smart Solutions Series webinar, we explored how technology can be implemented to make production more efficient and free workers from manual labor, which helps to effectively utilize talent resources and fill workforce gaps in facilities. A brief summary of our virtual discussion is outlined here.

3/17/2021 - THE CENTER
When it comes to the design of parts or production processes, there is always room for improvement. The challenge for manufacturers is to figure out what to change in order to get the best results. Simulation software can assist with this process. 

3/15/2021 - BY: CHARLIE WESTRA
Each week, our Proud to Manufacture in Michigan team chooses a Featured Manufacturer of the Week from more than 1,000 member companies. Our latest winner is Spring Dynamics, Inc.!

3/12/2021 - BY: ANDY NICHOLS
For many businesses and key members of Sales & Marketing staff, the use of digital media is both the present and future of B2B commerce. Whether we like it or not, recent events have put much more emphasis on supplier searches being conducted online. In addition to enhancing company websites, businesses can boost their digital presence by making a bold impression on the social media platform LinkedIn, where more and more procurement sourcing is happening. 

3/10/2021 - THE CENTER
How often does your facility throw away more material than was used to create a part? Has your business designed, developed and built a new product, only to discover the design is faulty after investing much time and money into its production? Have repairs been neglected on a part on a machine due to a lack of replacement for it? In each of these cases, the problem can be solved with Additive Manufacturing.

3/5/2021 - BY: MICHAEL MCGRAY
Typically, the first type of technology that comes to mind when referencing Industry 4.0 or advanced manufacturing is Robotics & Automation. And while a growing number of facilities continue to adopt automation into operations, many hesitant manufacturers still wonder, How can automation help my production?

3/3/2021 - THE CENTER
During employee training, businesses are commonly challenged by the demand placed on resources. Often, this leads to shortcuts in training, which negatively impacts productivity, quality and safety. Due to inconsistent training, variation arises in how each worker performs a task, which can lead to unanticipated results and no clear understanding of the root cause. To solve these training-related issues, and those unforeseen, Augmented & Virtual Reality can help.