Manufacture Smarter Blog

11/18/2024 As manufacturers seek solutions to ongoing workforce challenges, veterans are an underutilized talent pool with the potential to quickly adapt skills gained in the military to ever-changing manufacturing environments.

10/7/2024 - BY: JEFF WILLIAMS
Maintaining a robust cyber environment is a constant challenge. It requires significant time and effort to assess current risks, maintain a security program, and monitor its effectiveness. This task is particularly daunting for small to medium-sized businesses with limited resources.

9/20/2024 - BY: JERED TYACK
Integrating AI into predictive maintenance can revolutionize Lean manufacturing, offering significant benefits such as reduced downtime, increased equipment lifespan, and enhanced operational efficiency. To ensure a successful implementation, it is important to use Lean methodologies from the start to define objectives and scope. 

9/9/2024 - BY: STEVE VAMPLEW
Why use Artificial Intelligence in quality assurance? Why not? AI has been around since the 1950’s, but only recently has it been applied to quality functions.

8/26/2024 - BY: JERED TYACK
Training is an important part of efficient recruitment and employee retention, as it helps people quickly onboard, understand their roles, perform tasks effectively, and identify paths to advancement. Manufacturers must invest in high-quality training to help maintain a skilled and motivated workforce. 

8/12/2024 - BY: ANTHONY WELSH
It's no surprise that advancements in Industry 4.0 have opened new opportunities for Six Sigma practitioners. As data sources get larger, competition grows, and customer expectations become more demanding, we require new tools to tackle the challenge. Machine learning and predictive analytics are an interesting and effective avenue that many have been reluctant to pursue–me included!

7/22/2024 - BY: JOHN SPILLSON
With all the buzz lately around Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it will improve efficiencies, streamline operations, and generally make our lives easier, one question is obvious: will companies ever use it to lead the most complex piece of equipment in their operations—the human being?

7/8/2024 - BY: ROBERT SCIPIONE
Small and medium-sized manufacturers know they need to invest in automation, so they buy their first collaborative robot after seeing a demonstration of its capabilities. They assume there is a place for the cobot somewhere in their operation. But if they haven’t considered all the related impacts on their people and processes, their chances of a successful automation implementation are diminished.

6/24/2024 Workforce shortages and skills gaps are some of the greatest hurdles reported by Michigan manufacturers in recent years. It’s clear: manufacturers need a pipeline of skilled and dedicated talent to fortify their operations, stay competitive, and secure their futures in the industry.

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.