Manufacture Smarter Blog

5/22/2024 Automation has many benefits for small and midsize manufacturers, and in today’s competitive job market, augmenting your workforce is a big perk. Automation, in general, enables machines to perform functions with minimal to no human intervention. Whether you use cloud-based software to analyze data or employ robotics equipment to make work easier and safer for existing staff, automated tools can boost productivity and morale across your organization.

2/26/2024 Today, companies are envisioning—and producing—designs that wouldn’t be possible with traditional, subtractive manufacturing methods. The question today is no longer “Can I transition production of Widget X to additive manufacturing?” but instead “How does additive’s potential change how I design Widget X?”

12/21/2023 Food processors large and small help us pack, preserve, and share delicious foods across our state and nation. Industry 4.0 technology is making it possible for food manufacturers to streamline operations and enhance quality.

3/24/2023 - BY: ROBERT SCIPIONE
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has revolutionized the manufacturing industry with its ability to quickly create custom parts. In addition to printing parts, manufacturers can utilize 3D printing to create tooling and fixtures to streamline their production process. Let’s look at how manufacturers can utilize 3D-printed tooling and fixtures to their benefit.

3/3/2023 - BY: JOHN SPILLSON
Governor Whitmer has proclaimed March as Michigan Food and Agriculture Month to honor and celebrate Michigan’s farmers and diverse products. Our state’s unique climate and abundance of water has provided the ideal conditions to grow and process some of the nation’s finest agricultural products. As a $105 billion industry, food and agriculture provides more than 800,000 jobs, which accounts for 17% of our state’s employment. Encompassing nearly 10 million acres of farmland, Michigan has more than 300 commodities and is the second most diverse agriculture state in the U.S.

1/27/2023 - BY: BOB SCIPIONE
I don’t think it is a surprise that technology evolves each day. We all know a new version of our cell phones is released each year due to this very reason. The fourth industrial revolution is in full swing and thanks to these advances, technology can help manufacturers become more competitive and successful.

11/11/2022 - BY: CHUCK WERNER
As educators to small and medium-sized businesses on manufacturing technologies, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center’s (The Center) Industry 4.0 team participates in trade shows, expositions and technology events, allowing us to interact with experts, suppliers and adopters of technology. We are fortunate to experience current technologies, hear about implementation successes and failures, and get to see the upcoming developments in technology. While some of these new products may never mature into “game-changers” for manufacturing, the fact is that some, if not many, go on to revolutionize the processes and producers of products and services alike.

6/24/2022 - BY: ROBERT SCIPIONE
Effective programs to train people in the skill sets needed to successfully adopt and maintain Industry 4.0 technologies are few and far between. We are currently experiencing a huge labor shortage and skills gap across several industries, including manufacturing. Automation is a great solution that can help bridge that gap and can also create new positions to maintain the equipment.

6/3/2022 - BY: THE CENTER
Digitization has found its way into our daily lives and has established a new era in manufacturing. It has created many opportunities for improved efficiency, higher revenues and increased innovation. As we navigate the digital world that is transforming our industry, manufacturers are learning how to design, model and validate their products.

5/20/2022 - BY: EMILY WICKER
On Tuesday, May 10, experts from the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center) attended Automation Alley’s Industry 4.0 conference, Integr8. The event brings together technology and manufacturing leaders from around the world to construct the next level of Industry 4.0.