Home > Resources > Articles > Manufacturing Cyberattacks: The Perfect Disaster Recovery Plan

Manufacturing Cyberattacks: The Perfect Disaster Recovery Plan

Bhagyashri Kambale | March 29, 2022
MANUFACTURING CYBERATTACKS
How to recover from a cyber-attack is critical when we consider integrating industry 4.0 technologies into our traditional manufacturing processes.

Cyber Crime Is the Greatest Threat to Every Company in the World.”

– Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM

The internet-based nature of industry 4.0 makes it more prone to being targeted by hackers and having its data corrupted or compromised. In 2021, 50% of manufacturing businesses reported having experienced a cyberattack or data breach.

Having a contingency plan in place in the event of a cyberattack is what every organization is looking for these days.

So, in this article, we will explore how to construct the perfect cybersecurity disaster recovery plan and the critical elements to consider as you prepare for your cyber recovery.


Cybersecurity Disaster Recovery Plan


Observe Your Cyber-incident

Develop a clear cyber incident response plan that you can use to expedite the recovery process. The incident response plan should explicitly delegate tasks to teams and individuals and include all the actions necessary for your organization to recover as painlessly as possible.


Plan for Business Continuity

You must have a strategy for resuming operations while your system remains infected or under attack by hackers. Determine alternates for essential processes disrupted by the incident and train personnel on how to adapt to the new working conditions. For instance, you may need to direct your customer service department to contact customers rather than email them, or your employees may be permitted to use personal computers that your cyber recovery department has cleared. In the meantime, work machines return to their working conditions.


Recover from Safe Backups

Having a cyber recovery mechanism in place will make it much easier to locate a secure backup. However, you must wait until your network is entirely restored and clean before fixing your data. For example, a dependable and fast backup strategy is the best approach to recover from ransomware. This procedure requires a recent version of your data and applications that do not contain malware.


Rebuild or Recover Lost Data

Suppose you do not have a cyber recovery system, but you keep backups as part of your cyber security disaster recovery system. In that case, you will only need to recreate the stored data after the most recent clean backup of your system. If the data is irrevocably lost, you will require professional assistance to recover it.


Improve Your Cybersecurity Practices

After a cyber event, the support after attack is essential part. Examine your security loopholes and determine the areas of improving. Enhance your manufacturing security processes, reset all passwords, and educate your workers to do the same. Educating your team is the most effective means of preventing further intrusions into your systems.


5 Pillars to Recover from a Cyber Attack


An Effective Framework

A framework must be adopted, changed, and fine-tuned to an organization's specific requirements and the data that is to be safeguarded. Executives must develop proper governance for the organization's people, procedures, and technology. To develop a cybersecurity risk management program, you must first select and implement an acceptable framework.


End-to-end coverage

A good cybersecurity disaster recovery plan covers all the data in the organization that needs to be secured. The ever-increasing number of networked devices may make it difficult for a company to locate all its data. An organization must also identify all cybersecurity risks, from third-party vendors to work procedures. Therefore, a cybersecurity program's scope must include all the essential parts of the organization's protection.


Extensive Threat Analysis and Modeling

An essential step in prioritizing cybersecurity threats is assessing their likelihood and damage potential. When prioritizing, the cybersecurity team should analyze the organization's data from a hacker's perspective. This perspective will help the team design a strong cybersecurity strategy.


Proactive Incident Response Planning

Many businesses have created incident response strategies to deal with the possibility that any system's security may be hacked at some point. Unfortunately, many of those plans remain unused and outdated, leaving personnel unprepared when needed. Proactive incident response planning entails evaluating the project, identifying ways to improve its efficacy, and training and preparing staff to respond to a security breach and minimize damage.


Dedicated Cybersecurity Resources

Finally, the organization's cybersecurity requires dedicated individuals. To build a successful cybersecurity risk management program, the governance roles and duties must be clearly defined.


Final Word

Rendering support following a cyber-attack must be well planned and thoroughly tested. The cybersecurity disaster plan recommended in this article can be modified or customized to meet your business's specific needs. If you're serious about modernizing your traditional manufacturing and making it smarter, cyber recovery should be a top priority. That way, your operations and data are protected at all times. 


FAQ


What are the major types of cyber-threats?

App-based (malicious apps), web-based (phishing), network (free Wi-Fi), and physical (no PIN or biometric authentication) are the major types of cyber-threats.


What are the five types of cybersecurity?

Critical infrastructure security, application security, network security, cloud security, and IoT security are the five types of cybersecurity.


Why are manufacturing cyber-attacks rising?

The rise in industrial cybersecurity attacks can be connected to specific changes in the way the industry functions; technological improvements, especially the convergence of IT and OT systems; the sensitivity toward downtime in certain businesses; and the absence of segmentation.

Spotlight

Nortech Systems, Inc.

Nortech Systems, Inc., is a full-service electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider of wire and cable assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies and diagnostic repair and integration services including, higher-level assemblies and box builds for a wide range of industries.

OTHER ARTICLES

Top Five Industries That Are Leveraging Additive Manufacturing

Article | October 20, 2021

Additive manufacturing has advanced significantly in recent years and is currently used in nearly every area to improve both products and processes in the manufacturing business. As a result, manufacturers have been more imaginative and innovative in offering relevant products to their target customer group due to this technological advancement. Mr. Matt Mong, a prominent business executive, also mentioned in one of his Media7 interviews, As technology takes over and enhances many of the processes we used to handle with manual labor, we are freed up to use our minds creatively, which leads to bigger and better leaps in innovation and productivity. Matt Mong, VP Market Innovation and Project Business Evangelist at Adeaca The use of additive technology provides several advantages, including creating unique shapes and low production costs. In addition, the increasing application of additive manufacturing technologies is accelerating the growth of the additive manufacturing market. According to recent research conducted by Metal AM, the value of additively produced components is expected to increase by 15% annually from $12 billion in 2020 to $51 billion in 2030. Thus, additive marketing is the way forward for all industries. This article will cover the top five industries that utilize additive manufacturing and are advancing their businesses every day by overcoming the prevailing challenges such as production errors, downtime, and skilled labor shortage with the benefits of additive manufacturing. Five Industries Utilizing Additive Manufacturing Though additive manufacturing or 3D printing has penetrated almost all the industries, we have picked up a few of the prevailing industries that have started using additive manufacturing and excelling in it. Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace Aerospace has always been the first sector to adopt new technology. Precision is critical in this sector, as a failure of any component is not an option in aerospace. In aircraft production, dimension, weight, and temperature tolerance are critical, and additive technology provides every solution around this. As a result, additive manufacturing has evolved into a critical technology that adds value throughout the supply chain for prominent aircraft firms like Airbus, GE, Boeing, and TTM. Additive Manufacturing in Healthcare Healthcare or medical is one of the industries that is maximizing the benefits of additive manufacturing. Technology enables the medical sector to be more innovative, accurate, and capable of offering the most excellent medical solutions available today. It enables medical practitioners to rehearse before procedures and medical researchers to study functioning human tissues for basic biological research. In addition, it is utilized to fabricate tissues and organoids, surgical instruments, patient-specific surgical models, and bespoke prostheses. Thus, additive technology has altered the face of medicine, elevating it to a more sophisticated and solution-oriented state. Additive Manufacturing in Architecture As with other industries, additive manufacturing reshapes the architectural and construction sectors by eliminating conventional industrial barriers such as production time and cost, material waste, and design constraints. By utilizing 3D printing, designers can now quickly construct and demonstrate how structural parts will function and appear when combined. It also assists designers in seeing how the plan will seem subsequent execution. Additive Manufacturing in Manufacturing Nowadays, additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a significant part of the manufacturing process. For example, rather than fabricating a product from solid blocks, additive manufacturing may build a three-dimensional model utilizing fine powder, various metals, polymers, and composite materials as raw materials for constructing a 3D model with a three-dimensional printer. Additive Manufacturing in Education Additive manufacturing is reshaping the educational industry by introducing a new teaching trend and transforming the classroom experience for students. It is being used in various disciplines, including engineering, architecture, medicine, graphic design, geography, history, and even chemistry. They may produce prototypes, three-dimensional models, and historical objects, among other things. Thus, technology enables learners to get more practical information about their respective courses directly on the floor. How has General Electric (GE) been pioneering the use of Additive Manufacturing for 20 years? GE's primary competency is additive manufacturing (3D printing), and the company has made significant investments in the technology. It utilizes additive technology to manufacture a range of components for aviation and other sectors. This article will look at one of their manufacturing case studies and how additive technology enabled them to get the desired result from the end product. CASE STUDY: OPTISYS Optisys modified a vast, multi-part antenna assembly into a palm-sized, lighter, one-piece additive metal antenna. The antenna's aluminum material was chosen because of its surface conductivity, low weight, corrosion resistance, and stress and vibration resistance. Optisys was able to break even on machine acquisition within one year after acquiring its first Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) equipment by utilizing additive technologies. (Source: General Electric) Benefits and Outcomes Non-recurring expenditures were reduced by 75%. Weight loss of 95% The size was reduced by 80%. Part-to-part reduction of 100-to-1 Cycle duration shortened from 11 to 2 months 5 product lines were created for AM, a new market growth Final Words Additive manufacturing benefits a wide variety of businesses. Industries must recognize the advantages of additive manufacturing and begin using the technology in their manufacturing processes to cut production time and costs while increasing product accuracy. This game-changing expansion of the additive manufacturing market across several industries is upgrading both products and production processes. FAQs How do you define additive manufacturing? Additive manufacturing (AM), more generally referred to as 3D printing, is a ground-breaking manufacturing technique that enables the creation of lighter, more robust components and systems. As the name implies, additive manufacturing is adding material to an item to create it. Is additive manufacturing the same as 3D printing? Both terms are interchangeable. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing manufacture components by connecting or adding material from a CAD file. Which companies specialized in additive manufacturing? American Additive Manufacturing, Forecast 3D, Sciaky, Inc., 3 Axis Development, Inc., Jonco Industries, Inc., Polyhistor International, Inc., and Caelynx, LLC are renowned companies for additive manufacturing in the United States of America. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How do you define additive manufacturing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Additive manufacturing (AM), more generally referred to as 3D printing, is a ground-breaking manufacturing technique that enables the creation of lighter, more robust components and systems. As the name implies, additive manufacturing is adding material to an item to create it." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Is additive manufacturing the same as 3D printing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both terms are interchangeable. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing manufacture components by connecting or adding material from a CAD file." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Which companies specialized in additive manufacturing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "American Additive Manufacturing, Forecast 3D, Sciaky, Inc., 3 Axis Development, Inc., Jonco Industries, Inc., Polyhistor International, Inc., and Caelynx, LLC are renowned companies for additive manufacturing in the United States of America." } }] }

Read More

Egyptian Warehouse Automation Leader Solves North American Supply Chain Disruption Challenges

Article | January 20, 2022

COVID drove many supply chain disruptions in 2021. This was particularly true for companies using Asia to source product. Sadly, the bottleneck continues in 2022, but there are new channels now available to serve the North American material handling market. System integrators, dealers, and distributors in the space cannot work with vendors who offer slow delivery timetables. Customers want shelving, racking, conveyors, and robotics no later than Q3 2022. MODEX 2022 provides answers to solve the supply chain disruption MODEX 2022 (March 28-31, 2022) in Atlanta, will once again bring many global manufacturers to the event. Nearly 800 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees will respect COVID health and safety protocols while learning about much needed solutions from a variety of global manufacturers. For the first time there is an African company exhibiting at MODEX: LinkMisr International. Booth #C5475

Read More

From Concept to Use Cases: Big Data Analytics in Manufacturing

Article | March 7, 2022

Big data analytics in manufacturing is all you need to improve your business's efficiency, quality, and productivity in today's data-driven industry. It helps you transform your business data into actionable analytics to make informed decisions on business processes and operations. “Data is the new science. Big data holds the answers.” – Pat Gelsinger, CEO at VMware The significance of manufacturing industry data analysis is critical, and many manufacturers have recognized this and have started incorporating it into their manufacturing operations. According to Research and Markets, the manufacturing sector market was worth $904.65 million in 2019 and is predicted to grow to $4.55 billion by 2025. In this article, we'll look at the importance of big data in manufacturing, its applications, and how some of the industry's major players are incorporating it into their manufacturing processes and operations. Why Do Manufacturers Need Big Data? Big data analytics in manufacturing helps manufacturers find new information and identify trends. This enables them to improve operations, increase supply chain efficiency, and identify variables that affect production. Many leaders from the manufacturing industry recognize the importance of big data and have either started applying it to their business or are planning to do so. According to a KRC research report, 67% of manufacturing executives considered investing in manufacturing data analytics, especially in the face of pressure to minimize costs in this volatile market. According to MicroStrategy, 59% of organizations worldwide are using big data analytics. Big Data: From the Past to the Future Herman Hollerith invented the first punch card tabulating machine that marked the foundation of data processing. Hollerith's tabulating device was utilized to process data from the 1890 United States Census. Later that year, in 1911, he formed the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, which evolved into IBM. It is now based in Armonk, New York, with operations in more than 171 countries. This international corporation develops computer hardware, software, and middleware, and provides hosting and consulting services in different sectors, ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology. The company is a significant research institution that has set the bar for the number of U.S. patents generated annually by a firm for the last 28 years (as of 2020). Companies Using Big Data Analytics Amazon The enormous benefit of big data is its capacity to assist businesses in innovating and redeveloping their products. Essentially, big data has evolved to generate additional revenue streams by enabling innovations and product development. Before developing new product lines or redesigning old products, organizations begin by fixing as much data as possible. How does Amazon make use of big data? Most people are familiar with Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market. This is an excellent illustration of how big data can benefit the growth of innovation and product creation. Amazon uses big data analytics to get a foothold in a vast market. Amazon's experience in data-driven logistics enables the creation and achievement of more value. By focusing on manufacturing analytics, Amazon Whole Foods deciphers how customers purchase products and how suppliers engage with the store. PepsiCo Big data enables supplier networks to operate with increased precision, clarity, and insight. Suppliers achieve contextual insight throughout supply chains by utilizing manufacturing data analysis. Essentially, providers can overcome previous limitations using big data analytics. How does PepsiCo leverage big data to optimize its supply chain? PepsiCo is a consumer packaged goods company that depends mainly on massive amounts of data to operate its supply chain efficiently. The organization is committed to restocking the shelves of shops with the proper quantities and varieties of products. Clients give reports on their warehouse and point-of-sale inventory, which the company uses to reconcile and estimate production and shipment requirements. This way, the corporation guarantees that shops have the appropriate products, in the appropriate quantities, and at the appropriate times. Read our latest infographic to learn more about increasing the efficiency of your manufacturing business. Big Data in Manufacturing: Use Cases Supply Chain Management Big data allows manufacturers to track their products' actual position. The ability to track is one of the most important features offered by big data to manufacturers. Traceability is important since many products released by manufacturers are lost or hard to trace. Barcode scanners and radio frequency transmission equipment can set up a parcel's coordinates. These devices broadcast the product's location, pinpointing its exact location. Identifying client needs is a challenge when predicting market trends. Big data assists by predicting client requests and assisting with product delivery timings. This type of forecasting can help businesses improve their profits and workforce by looking at their supply chain. Production Management Once businesses have discovered market requirements, the same analytics for manufacturing can assist them in evaluating the volume of products necessary in the market. Previously, when big data analytics did not exist, businesses relied on human estimates, which frequently resulted in excess or insufficient production. This technique has been deemed obsolete because of its inaccuracy. Instead, organizations gain intuitive insights from the data they collect and analyze using big data analytics for manufacturing. Machine Maintenance When a company manufactures something, it intends to maintain its machinery, from how it currently runs to what changes are required to keep it working properly. These robots' sensors may continuously collect data. Device data helps firms determine when and how much maintenance a machine needs. Big data analytics can help manufacturers keep track of their machinery by assessing and improving their efficiency. Daily Production For a company to run properly, they must monitor their daily activities, production capacity, and financial performance. Big data analytics can help manufacturing organizations by giving intuitive insights from numerous sources. These sources include operating machines, databases tracking unit production, and employee records. This data can help corporations make profitable improvements. Quality Assessment Quality control is important in manufacturing since the products must be of the highest quality. Big data analytics can also help here by providing vital information about any changes in the development process. Businesses recognize the need to utilize technological breakthroughs as manufacturing transforms. Big data analytics helps enterprises not only track and forecast market demands but also maintain quality measurements and standards. This ensures product quality and increases profitability for a manufacturer's products. Final Word We understand the significance of big data in manufacturing, and the sooner you start collecting data on your manufacturing processes, the sooner you can implement the latest advancements. Therefore, delve further into big data, data analytics, and data science services to assist your manufacturing organization in growing and blooming to the next level. FAQ Is data science the same as big data? No, data science and big data are not synonymous. Big data collects varied and complicated data, whereas data science is a multidisciplinary area that tries to generate broader insights from data. What purpose does data serve in manufacturing? Manufacturing data provides a deeper insight into market trends, a complete grasp of client needs, and predicts future trends. In a nutshell, it includes everything necessary for manufacturing companies to maintain a competitive edge. How are manufacturing data defined? Manufacturing data refers to all data, information, materials, and documentation developed or generated in connection with the product’s manufacturing. This includes manufacturing and control data as well as additional data and documentation requested by or submitted to a Regulatory Authority.

Read More

What are the Risks that Manufacturing Face in the Current Times?

Article | December 30, 2021

Risk management in manufacturing has always been a top priority for manufacturers to avoid any unfortunate incidents. As a result, it is possible to create a more secure work environment for employees by conducting risk assessments and implementing remedies. “If you don’t invest in risk management, it doesn’t matter what business you’re in, it’s a risky business.” – Gary Cohn, an American Business Leader. As of 2019, the worldwide risk management market was valued at $7.39 billion, and it is expected to rise at a CAGR of 18.7% from 2020 to 2027, according to allied market research. Why is Risk Assessment Critical in Manufacturing? The manufacturing industry must have a credible risk assessment and management plan to defend itself from any breaches. Risk assessment helps firms understand the dangers they face and their implications if their systems are compromised. Hence, risk assessment is very critical in the manufacturing industry. Five Risk Assessment Principles Identify hazards/risks - Employers must examine their workers' health and safety risks. Therefore, an organization must regularly inspect its employee’s physical, mental, chemical, and biological threats. Identify who may be hurt and in what way – Identifying the personnel both full-time and part-time at-risk. Employers must also examine threats to agency and contract personnel, visitors, clients, and other visitors. Assess the risks and act accordingly - Employers must assess the likelihood of each danger causing injury. This will evaluate and lower the chance at the working space. Even with all safeguards, there is always some danger. Therefore, employers must assess if danger is still high, medium, or low risk. Get the Risks Documented - Employers with five or more employees must record the critical findings of the risk assessment in writing. In addition, register any risks identified in the risk assessment and actions to minimize or eliminate risk. This document confirms the evaluation and is used to examine working practices afterward. The risk assessment is a draft. It should be readable. It shouldn't be hidden away. The risk assessment must account for changes in working techniques, new machinery, or higher work objectives. 5 Manufacturing Risks to Consider in 2022 Accidents at Work Even if official safety policies and programs are designed, followed, and enhanced, manufacturers may endure workplace accidents and injuries. Risk assessment for workplace accidents assists in mitigating the negative impact on both employees and the organization. Environmental Mishaps Manufacturers have distinct issues regarding fuel handling and hazardous waste disposal in facilities. Sudden leaks or spills may be extremely costly to clean up and result in fines from state and federal agencies. Risk assessments for such plant accidents assist businesses in mitigating financial losses. Equipment Breakdowns Essential machinery throughout the production process might fail at any time, incurring significant repair or replacement costs. Therefore, it's critical to recognize that business property insurance may not cover mechanical issues. Risk assessment and prepayment solutions protect against equipment failures without interfering with typical company operations. Supply Chain Disruption Dependence on your supply chain may result in unintended consequences that are beyond your control. For example, if you experience downtime on the manufacturing line due to a supplier's failure to supply materials or parts, you risk losing revenue and profitability. If a disturbance to your supply chain poses a hazard, risk management can assist you in managing it more effectively by quickly identifying the risk and providing a suitable response. Operation Temporarily Suspended Depending on the severity of the weather event, a factory might be severely damaged or perhaps utterly wrecked. While major repairs or rebuilding are being undertaken, recouping lost income might be vital to the business's future profitability. Risk assessment in this area enables your organization to budget for overhead expenditures such as rent, payroll, and tax responsibilities during the period of suspension of operations. Final Words Risk management is critical in manufacturing because it enables manufacturers to comprehend and anticipate scenarios and create a well-planned response that avoids unnecessary overhead costs or delays in delivering the production cycle's final result. Manufacturing risks are undoubtedly not limited to the risks listed above and may vary according to the nature of the business and regional environmental conditions. Therefore, create a well-defined strategy to overcome threats in your business and be productive at all times. FAQ How are manufacturing business risks classified? In most cases, the business risk may be categorized into four types: strategic risk, regulatory compliance risks, operational compliance risks, and reputational risks. Why should a manufacturer conduct a risk assessment? Every manufacturing employment has risks for injury or illness. But risk evaluations can significantly minimize workplace injuries and illnesses. In addition, they assist companies in discovering strategies to reduce health and safety risks and enhance knowledge about dangers.

Read More

Top Five Industries That Are Leveraging Additive Manufacturing

Article | October 20, 2021

Additive manufacturing has advanced significantly in recent years and is currently used in nearly every area to improve both products and processes in the manufacturing business. As a result, manufacturers have been more imaginative and innovative in offering relevant products to their target customer group due to this technological advancement. Mr. Matt Mong, a prominent business executive, also mentioned in one of his Media7 interviews, As technology takes over and enhances many of the processes we used to handle with manual labor, we are freed up to use our minds creatively, which leads to bigger and better leaps in innovation and productivity. Matt Mong, VP Market Innovation and Project Business Evangelist at Adeaca The use of additive technology provides several advantages, including creating unique shapes and low production costs. In addition, the increasing application of additive manufacturing technologies is accelerating the growth of the additive manufacturing market. According to recent research conducted by Metal AM, the value of additively produced components is expected to increase by 15% annually from $12 billion in 2020 to $51 billion in 2030. Thus, additive marketing is the way forward for all industries. This article will cover the top five industries that utilize additive manufacturing and are advancing their businesses every day by overcoming the prevailing challenges such as production errors, downtime, and skilled labor shortage with the benefits of additive manufacturing. Five Industries Utilizing Additive Manufacturing Though additive manufacturing or 3D printing has penetrated almost all the industries, we have picked up a few of the prevailing industries that have started using additive manufacturing and excelling in it. Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace Aerospace has always been the first sector to adopt new technology. Precision is critical in this sector, as a failure of any component is not an option in aerospace. In aircraft production, dimension, weight, and temperature tolerance are critical, and additive technology provides every solution around this. As a result, additive manufacturing has evolved into a critical technology that adds value throughout the supply chain for prominent aircraft firms like Airbus, GE, Boeing, and TTM. Additive Manufacturing in Healthcare Healthcare or medical is one of the industries that is maximizing the benefits of additive manufacturing. Technology enables the medical sector to be more innovative, accurate, and capable of offering the most excellent medical solutions available today. It enables medical practitioners to rehearse before procedures and medical researchers to study functioning human tissues for basic biological research. In addition, it is utilized to fabricate tissues and organoids, surgical instruments, patient-specific surgical models, and bespoke prostheses. Thus, additive technology has altered the face of medicine, elevating it to a more sophisticated and solution-oriented state. Additive Manufacturing in Architecture As with other industries, additive manufacturing reshapes the architectural and construction sectors by eliminating conventional industrial barriers such as production time and cost, material waste, and design constraints. By utilizing 3D printing, designers can now quickly construct and demonstrate how structural parts will function and appear when combined. It also assists designers in seeing how the plan will seem subsequent execution. Additive Manufacturing in Manufacturing Nowadays, additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a significant part of the manufacturing process. For example, rather than fabricating a product from solid blocks, additive manufacturing may build a three-dimensional model utilizing fine powder, various metals, polymers, and composite materials as raw materials for constructing a 3D model with a three-dimensional printer. Additive Manufacturing in Education Additive manufacturing is reshaping the educational industry by introducing a new teaching trend and transforming the classroom experience for students. It is being used in various disciplines, including engineering, architecture, medicine, graphic design, geography, history, and even chemistry. They may produce prototypes, three-dimensional models, and historical objects, among other things. Thus, technology enables learners to get more practical information about their respective courses directly on the floor. How has General Electric (GE) been pioneering the use of Additive Manufacturing for 20 years? GE's primary competency is additive manufacturing (3D printing), and the company has made significant investments in the technology. It utilizes additive technology to manufacture a range of components for aviation and other sectors. This article will look at one of their manufacturing case studies and how additive technology enabled them to get the desired result from the end product. CASE STUDY: OPTISYS Optisys modified a vast, multi-part antenna assembly into a palm-sized, lighter, one-piece additive metal antenna. The antenna's aluminum material was chosen because of its surface conductivity, low weight, corrosion resistance, and stress and vibration resistance. Optisys was able to break even on machine acquisition within one year after acquiring its first Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) equipment by utilizing additive technologies. (Source: General Electric) Benefits and Outcomes Non-recurring expenditures were reduced by 75%. Weight loss of 95% The size was reduced by 80%. Part-to-part reduction of 100-to-1 Cycle duration shortened from 11 to 2 months 5 product lines were created for AM, a new market growth Final Words Additive manufacturing benefits a wide variety of businesses. Industries must recognize the advantages of additive manufacturing and begin using the technology in their manufacturing processes to cut production time and costs while increasing product accuracy. This game-changing expansion of the additive manufacturing market across several industries is upgrading both products and production processes. FAQs How do you define additive manufacturing? Additive manufacturing (AM), more generally referred to as 3D printing, is a ground-breaking manufacturing technique that enables the creation of lighter, more robust components and systems. As the name implies, additive manufacturing is adding material to an item to create it. Is additive manufacturing the same as 3D printing? Both terms are interchangeable. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing manufacture components by connecting or adding material from a CAD file. Which companies specialized in additive manufacturing? American Additive Manufacturing, Forecast 3D, Sciaky, Inc., 3 Axis Development, Inc., Jonco Industries, Inc., Polyhistor International, Inc., and Caelynx, LLC are renowned companies for additive manufacturing in the United States of America. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How do you define additive manufacturing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Additive manufacturing (AM), more generally referred to as 3D printing, is a ground-breaking manufacturing technique that enables the creation of lighter, more robust components and systems. As the name implies, additive manufacturing is adding material to an item to create it." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Is additive manufacturing the same as 3D printing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both terms are interchangeable. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing manufacture components by connecting or adding material from a CAD file." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Which companies specialized in additive manufacturing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "American Additive Manufacturing, Forecast 3D, Sciaky, Inc., 3 Axis Development, Inc., Jonco Industries, Inc., Polyhistor International, Inc., and Caelynx, LLC are renowned companies for additive manufacturing in the United States of America." } }] }

Read More

Egyptian Warehouse Automation Leader Solves North American Supply Chain Disruption Challenges

Article | January 20, 2022

COVID drove many supply chain disruptions in 2021. This was particularly true for companies using Asia to source product. Sadly, the bottleneck continues in 2022, but there are new channels now available to serve the North American material handling market. System integrators, dealers, and distributors in the space cannot work with vendors who offer slow delivery timetables. Customers want shelving, racking, conveyors, and robotics no later than Q3 2022. MODEX 2022 provides answers to solve the supply chain disruption MODEX 2022 (March 28-31, 2022) in Atlanta, will once again bring many global manufacturers to the event. Nearly 800 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees will respect COVID health and safety protocols while learning about much needed solutions from a variety of global manufacturers. For the first time there is an African company exhibiting at MODEX: LinkMisr International. Booth #C5475

Read More

From Concept to Use Cases: Big Data Analytics in Manufacturing

Article | March 7, 2022

Big data analytics in manufacturing is all you need to improve your business's efficiency, quality, and productivity in today's data-driven industry. It helps you transform your business data into actionable analytics to make informed decisions on business processes and operations. “Data is the new science. Big data holds the answers.” – Pat Gelsinger, CEO at VMware The significance of manufacturing industry data analysis is critical, and many manufacturers have recognized this and have started incorporating it into their manufacturing operations. According to Research and Markets, the manufacturing sector market was worth $904.65 million in 2019 and is predicted to grow to $4.55 billion by 2025. In this article, we'll look at the importance of big data in manufacturing, its applications, and how some of the industry's major players are incorporating it into their manufacturing processes and operations. Why Do Manufacturers Need Big Data? Big data analytics in manufacturing helps manufacturers find new information and identify trends. This enables them to improve operations, increase supply chain efficiency, and identify variables that affect production. Many leaders from the manufacturing industry recognize the importance of big data and have either started applying it to their business or are planning to do so. According to a KRC research report, 67% of manufacturing executives considered investing in manufacturing data analytics, especially in the face of pressure to minimize costs in this volatile market. According to MicroStrategy, 59% of organizations worldwide are using big data analytics. Big Data: From the Past to the Future Herman Hollerith invented the first punch card tabulating machine that marked the foundation of data processing. Hollerith's tabulating device was utilized to process data from the 1890 United States Census. Later that year, in 1911, he formed the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, which evolved into IBM. It is now based in Armonk, New York, with operations in more than 171 countries. This international corporation develops computer hardware, software, and middleware, and provides hosting and consulting services in different sectors, ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology. The company is a significant research institution that has set the bar for the number of U.S. patents generated annually by a firm for the last 28 years (as of 2020). Companies Using Big Data Analytics Amazon The enormous benefit of big data is its capacity to assist businesses in innovating and redeveloping their products. Essentially, big data has evolved to generate additional revenue streams by enabling innovations and product development. Before developing new product lines or redesigning old products, organizations begin by fixing as much data as possible. How does Amazon make use of big data? Most people are familiar with Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market. This is an excellent illustration of how big data can benefit the growth of innovation and product creation. Amazon uses big data analytics to get a foothold in a vast market. Amazon's experience in data-driven logistics enables the creation and achievement of more value. By focusing on manufacturing analytics, Amazon Whole Foods deciphers how customers purchase products and how suppliers engage with the store. PepsiCo Big data enables supplier networks to operate with increased precision, clarity, and insight. Suppliers achieve contextual insight throughout supply chains by utilizing manufacturing data analysis. Essentially, providers can overcome previous limitations using big data analytics. How does PepsiCo leverage big data to optimize its supply chain? PepsiCo is a consumer packaged goods company that depends mainly on massive amounts of data to operate its supply chain efficiently. The organization is committed to restocking the shelves of shops with the proper quantities and varieties of products. Clients give reports on their warehouse and point-of-sale inventory, which the company uses to reconcile and estimate production and shipment requirements. This way, the corporation guarantees that shops have the appropriate products, in the appropriate quantities, and at the appropriate times. Read our latest infographic to learn more about increasing the efficiency of your manufacturing business. Big Data in Manufacturing: Use Cases Supply Chain Management Big data allows manufacturers to track their products' actual position. The ability to track is one of the most important features offered by big data to manufacturers. Traceability is important since many products released by manufacturers are lost or hard to trace. Barcode scanners and radio frequency transmission equipment can set up a parcel's coordinates. These devices broadcast the product's location, pinpointing its exact location. Identifying client needs is a challenge when predicting market trends. Big data assists by predicting client requests and assisting with product delivery timings. This type of forecasting can help businesses improve their profits and workforce by looking at their supply chain. Production Management Once businesses have discovered market requirements, the same analytics for manufacturing can assist them in evaluating the volume of products necessary in the market. Previously, when big data analytics did not exist, businesses relied on human estimates, which frequently resulted in excess or insufficient production. This technique has been deemed obsolete because of its inaccuracy. Instead, organizations gain intuitive insights from the data they collect and analyze using big data analytics for manufacturing. Machine Maintenance When a company manufactures something, it intends to maintain its machinery, from how it currently runs to what changes are required to keep it working properly. These robots' sensors may continuously collect data. Device data helps firms determine when and how much maintenance a machine needs. Big data analytics can help manufacturers keep track of their machinery by assessing and improving their efficiency. Daily Production For a company to run properly, they must monitor their daily activities, production capacity, and financial performance. Big data analytics can help manufacturing organizations by giving intuitive insights from numerous sources. These sources include operating machines, databases tracking unit production, and employee records. This data can help corporations make profitable improvements. Quality Assessment Quality control is important in manufacturing since the products must be of the highest quality. Big data analytics can also help here by providing vital information about any changes in the development process. Businesses recognize the need to utilize technological breakthroughs as manufacturing transforms. Big data analytics helps enterprises not only track and forecast market demands but also maintain quality measurements and standards. This ensures product quality and increases profitability for a manufacturer's products. Final Word We understand the significance of big data in manufacturing, and the sooner you start collecting data on your manufacturing processes, the sooner you can implement the latest advancements. Therefore, delve further into big data, data analytics, and data science services to assist your manufacturing organization in growing and blooming to the next level. FAQ Is data science the same as big data? No, data science and big data are not synonymous. Big data collects varied and complicated data, whereas data science is a multidisciplinary area that tries to generate broader insights from data. What purpose does data serve in manufacturing? Manufacturing data provides a deeper insight into market trends, a complete grasp of client needs, and predicts future trends. In a nutshell, it includes everything necessary for manufacturing companies to maintain a competitive edge. How are manufacturing data defined? Manufacturing data refers to all data, information, materials, and documentation developed or generated in connection with the product’s manufacturing. This includes manufacturing and control data as well as additional data and documentation requested by or submitted to a Regulatory Authority.

Read More

What are the Risks that Manufacturing Face in the Current Times?

Article | December 30, 2021

Risk management in manufacturing has always been a top priority for manufacturers to avoid any unfortunate incidents. As a result, it is possible to create a more secure work environment for employees by conducting risk assessments and implementing remedies. “If you don’t invest in risk management, it doesn’t matter what business you’re in, it’s a risky business.” – Gary Cohn, an American Business Leader. As of 2019, the worldwide risk management market was valued at $7.39 billion, and it is expected to rise at a CAGR of 18.7% from 2020 to 2027, according to allied market research. Why is Risk Assessment Critical in Manufacturing? The manufacturing industry must have a credible risk assessment and management plan to defend itself from any breaches. Risk assessment helps firms understand the dangers they face and their implications if their systems are compromised. Hence, risk assessment is very critical in the manufacturing industry. Five Risk Assessment Principles Identify hazards/risks - Employers must examine their workers' health and safety risks. Therefore, an organization must regularly inspect its employee’s physical, mental, chemical, and biological threats. Identify who may be hurt and in what way – Identifying the personnel both full-time and part-time at-risk. Employers must also examine threats to agency and contract personnel, visitors, clients, and other visitors. Assess the risks and act accordingly - Employers must assess the likelihood of each danger causing injury. This will evaluate and lower the chance at the working space. Even with all safeguards, there is always some danger. Therefore, employers must assess if danger is still high, medium, or low risk. Get the Risks Documented - Employers with five or more employees must record the critical findings of the risk assessment in writing. In addition, register any risks identified in the risk assessment and actions to minimize or eliminate risk. This document confirms the evaluation and is used to examine working practices afterward. The risk assessment is a draft. It should be readable. It shouldn't be hidden away. The risk assessment must account for changes in working techniques, new machinery, or higher work objectives. 5 Manufacturing Risks to Consider in 2022 Accidents at Work Even if official safety policies and programs are designed, followed, and enhanced, manufacturers may endure workplace accidents and injuries. Risk assessment for workplace accidents assists in mitigating the negative impact on both employees and the organization. Environmental Mishaps Manufacturers have distinct issues regarding fuel handling and hazardous waste disposal in facilities. Sudden leaks or spills may be extremely costly to clean up and result in fines from state and federal agencies. Risk assessments for such plant accidents assist businesses in mitigating financial losses. Equipment Breakdowns Essential machinery throughout the production process might fail at any time, incurring significant repair or replacement costs. Therefore, it's critical to recognize that business property insurance may not cover mechanical issues. Risk assessment and prepayment solutions protect against equipment failures without interfering with typical company operations. Supply Chain Disruption Dependence on your supply chain may result in unintended consequences that are beyond your control. For example, if you experience downtime on the manufacturing line due to a supplier's failure to supply materials or parts, you risk losing revenue and profitability. If a disturbance to your supply chain poses a hazard, risk management can assist you in managing it more effectively by quickly identifying the risk and providing a suitable response. Operation Temporarily Suspended Depending on the severity of the weather event, a factory might be severely damaged or perhaps utterly wrecked. While major repairs or rebuilding are being undertaken, recouping lost income might be vital to the business's future profitability. Risk assessment in this area enables your organization to budget for overhead expenditures such as rent, payroll, and tax responsibilities during the period of suspension of operations. Final Words Risk management is critical in manufacturing because it enables manufacturers to comprehend and anticipate scenarios and create a well-planned response that avoids unnecessary overhead costs or delays in delivering the production cycle's final result. Manufacturing risks are undoubtedly not limited to the risks listed above and may vary according to the nature of the business and regional environmental conditions. Therefore, create a well-defined strategy to overcome threats in your business and be productive at all times. FAQ How are manufacturing business risks classified? In most cases, the business risk may be categorized into four types: strategic risk, regulatory compliance risks, operational compliance risks, and reputational risks. Why should a manufacturer conduct a risk assessment? Every manufacturing employment has risks for injury or illness. But risk evaluations can significantly minimize workplace injuries and illnesses. In addition, they assist companies in discovering strategies to reduce health and safety risks and enhance knowledge about dangers.

Read More
MORE ARTICLE

Spotlight

Nortech Systems, Inc.

Nortech Systems, Inc., is a full-service electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider of wire and cable assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies and diagnostic repair and integration services including, higher-level assemblies and box builds for a wide range of industries.

Events