Digital Transformation and Its Impact on Quality Assurance

whitePaper | July 24, 2020

The advanced actuation system on Emerson’s new Branson GSX ultrasonic welder dynamically adjusts weld force to enable reliable assembly of plastic parts in product designs considered too small, delicate or difficult to weld before. This white paper outlines the development of the new actuation system and explains how improved force control — particularly “dynamic follow-through” after plastic melt — contributes to superior weld strength and quality. The paper also describes head-to-head tests in which the new Branson GSX actuation system outperformed existing welders with pneumatic and servo-controlled actuators by completing consistently good welds on plastic parts that could not be reliably welded in the past.

whitePaper | August 11, 2022

Industry is the backbone of growth and prosperity in Germany and in Europe. Around a quarter of gross value creation comes from the goods-producing sector. German industry is a global leader with its Industrie 4.0 initiative; its exports of goods and services make it a major contributor to job creation in Germany and in Europe. Some 5.5 million people were directly employed in companies in the goods-producing sector in Germany at the end of June 2021. Around 15 million of the 45 million jobs in Germany depend directly or indirectly on the goods-producing sector.

whitePaper | November 2, 2022

This white paper entitled "Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing" reports the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in European manufacturing, and its potential to enhance competitiveness and technological leadership in the future. The paper is based on research conducted by the Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing NETwork (AIM-NET), which represents the viewpoint of the manufacturing community on the achievements and challenges of AI solutions. The document covers topics such as AI in manufacturing processes, robots, machines, and operations support in manufacturing, and AI in manufacturing systems. It also includes discussions on cross-cutting aspects such as regulation, education, systems engineering, and data augmentation. The paper also presents the maturity achieved TRL levels of existing AI-based applications in manufacturing, typical KPIs used to assess performance, and barriers and limitations to wide adoption. It also provides a roadmap for future work on AI, with efforts needed in short-term and long-term time horizons. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current status and future vision of AI in manufacturing for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers.

whitePaper | January 1, 2023

The manufacturing industry is entering a period of rapid reconfiguration, driven by the complex interaction of technological, geopolitical, macroeconomic, and financial factors. The long-term trends that have shaped international commerce during the post-Cold War period are changing. The engines of the era—the relatively free flow of capital across borders, the lengthy and complex global supply chains, the super-cycle of cheap credit, the stable supply of energy, and the steadily liberalizing global trade regime—have stalled or reversed course, as we enter a new period defined by very different trends, including the reappearance of high inflation and a new appreciation for credit risk.

whitePaper | September 9, 2022

When it comes to choosing a manufacturing system, you need more than just product information; you also need other kinds of input to make sound accounting and manufacturing software decisions... and that’s what this booklet is all about. How to Choose a Manufacturing System contains the compiled wisdom of soft-ware designers, manufacturing pros, and industry technologists

whitePaper | October 6, 2022

Is “Industry 4.0” an increasingly hyped term or a real change in the manufacturing sector? This question arises when we examine the true value of Industry 4.0. This White Paper is an attempt to analyze the theoretical and practical aspects of the concept, which has made its way into the Polish market as well as others. The paper will present detailed analysis and presentation of the practical side of Indust