“Soak up the views. Take in the bad weather and the good weather. You are not the storm.”
– Matt Haig
1. Thanks, AI
Generative AI has always had a questionable future in manufacturing. There are still concerns about trust in the accuracy and control of IP. One use case that seems productive and trustworthy is a comparative analysis of two different G-code programs. Have you ever picked up someone else’s code and scratched your head? Looks like “Chat”-ting about it can help.
2. Are Exoskeletons Real?
What do hiking and manufacturing have in common? Me. I have become a big fan of being outdoors, mainly hiking. I also come from a background of standing and carrying stuff on the manufacturing floor. If only there were a tool to reduce the load on your body! Well, this exoskeleton company has integrated exoskeleton legs into hiking pants to improve my quality of life (and others, maybe). Sounds like this is a buy-now option for those plants where someone is on their feet all day.
3. 3D Printing in Space Is EZ
The Pentagon will award $280 million in CHIPS Act grants to fund microelectronics So, astronauts printed the first metal part on the International Space Station. I don’t have to elaborate on how impressive this is. But it is worth talking about why this is important. Volatile and remote locations are increasingly demanding faster replacement parts. The military wants forward operating bases to be more self-sufficient, which includes integrating manufacturing processes. Space is the next frontier to manufacturing at the point of use. Space!
4. Trust Me: Don't Trust Me
Digital manufacturing technologies are no longer considered emerging. It is a foundational set of technologies that will be ingrained in everything we do. Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important due to the risk of IP theft and data loss. Here comes zero-trust architecture to save the day. Maybe not save the day but at least prevent the day you have a catastrophic breach. Maybe. Stop clicking on emails you know you shouldn’t.
5. Big OOPs? Making Out-of-Production Parts
A personal goal of mine is to use non-consumable products for 10 years before retiring them: everything from suits to pens – and my car. However, getting parts can be tricky. When a small part on my bumper was damaged, instead of buying that small part, I had to buy the entire bumper. Additive and other processes are fueling a growing cottage industry to create such nonexistent parts. Let’s see how long my current car lasts. It doesn’t help that I drove it like it stole it, but that conversation is different.
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