Robots helped make new Fords the safest yet
At Ford's Proving Ground in Australia, Ray, Rosie and Roberto are integral members of Ford's safety team, helping to develop the very latest in crash protection features and advanced driver assist systems that enable owners to drive with more confidence on the road....
Security best practices to maintain integrity at the edge
Industry 4.0, IIoT, smart manufacturing; all buzzwords that we’ve been talking about for years. Many of us have had visions of factory floors run by futuristic robots and drones reminiscent of SciFi movies like iRobot. By George Senzere, solution architect: secure...
HMI optimises people, processes and technology
When embarking on an industrial digitisation project, it’s important to consider how people, processes and technology will work together. These three considerations are integrated in a somewhat symbiotic manner, which is why each should function optimally and...
Supply chain disruptions drive construction industry juggling act
Since 2020 South Africa’s construction industry has had to contend with enforced pandemic-induced shutdowns, civil unrest, natural disasters and more recently, the ongoing war in Ukraine, all of which have wreaked havoc on supply chains and severely hampered the...
Welcome to a world where avatars simplify machine building
In the world of machine building, core components, and the ease with which it can be selected and installed, form a vital part of overall efficiency. Thanks to the continued proliferation of Industry 5.0 and IIoT, machine builders are now benefiting from simplified...
How manufacturers can unlock the value of data to drive BI
Data forms the backbone of any manufacturing enterprise. With continuous supply chain disruptions, the allure of data and business intelligence (BI) is the ability to look deeper into production, performance, and efficiency. For today's industries, the issue isn't...
Augmented reality can impede the optimisation of production
Production workers instructed with augmented reality (AR) glasses can work much faster than colleagues instructed with analog methods. However, an international study shows that they are less capable of internalizing their tasks and of making suggestions to improve...
Preventative infrastructure maintenance key to saving costs, increasing safety
Mining remains a key contributor to South Africa's economy, with the country currently ranked fifth in the world in terms of mining contribution to gross domestic product. Despite its contribution to the economy and employment, the sector faces major challenges that...
Ford operates 3D printers autonomously
At Ford's Advanced Manufacturing Center, Javier is tasked with operating the 3D printers completely on his own. He is always on time, very precise in his movements, and he works most of the day - taking only a short break to charge up. The robot on wheels from...
How to succeed with Industry 4.0
When it comes to technology investments, the factory floor and warehouse typically get the least attention – and yet they are critical to the operations and survival of any company. Brendan Cuthbertson, head of Commercial, Enterprise and Regional Public Sector...
How the manufacturing and distribution workforce can meet Industry 4.0
There is no doubt that the digital revolution has been accelerated by the pandemic. Recovery has forced industries to re-configure supply chains to thrive through disruption. Manufacturers and distributors have also had to adapt to digital-first customer journeys, and...
Upskilling key to addressing the manufacturing technology skills gap
Technology has always been a significant disruptor in the manufacturing sector, and as the rapid acceleration of digitalisation continues, the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is once again changing the game. By Daniel Orelowitz, MD of Training Force Robotics and...