John Clemons
Articles
Smart manufacturing’s impact: Is it moving fast enough?
Smart manufacturing can have many positive impacts for companies, but the problem is many aren’t buying in because they don’t know what kind of short- and long-term benefits it can provide.
How digital transformation delivers bottom-line benefits for manufacturers
Digital transformation can help companies realize long-term business benefits, but it takes dedication and strategy to actually transform.
How to find the ROI in smart manufacturing
Smart manufacturing can offer manufacturers a great return on investment (ROI), but that can only happen if they focus on the business benefits.
Smart manufacturing model production lifecycle benefits
MESA International is developing a smart manufacturing model that will provide specific recommendations on how people can be smart in their manufacturing endeavors.
IIoT in the real world
Industrial Internet of Things serves as the backbone for other Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), digital twins, the digital thread, big data, analytics, and cloud and edge computing.
The advantages of the IIoT
Industrial Internet of Things doesn’t replace, but works together with automation, human-machine interface (HMI), MES, ERP, enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI), and analytics, adding benefits.
Bridging the Smart Manufacturing gap for users
A good Smart Manufacturing model bridges the gap between the needs of individual users and institutions trying to define Smart Manufacturing
The practical side of Smart Manufacturing
MESA is developing a Smart Manufacturing model from a neutral point of view and provide a practical angle for users that is easy to work with.
Benefits of developing a Smart Manufacturing model
Smart Manufacturing is changing the overall economic landscape, but no one quite knows how it's all supposed to come together. A good Smart Manufacturing model can help change that.
Digital transformation: time for industry to kick into high gear
Digital transformation is about transforming and changing the business for the future and creating new and better ways of doing business.
Smart manufacturing opens the door to real-time data
Smart manufacturing and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)-enabled technologies can use real-time data to optimize processes and reduce costs for manufacturers.
Moving beyond technology: 4 keys to project success
Technology is only a tool for project success. Proper training and access to data combined with the appropriate technologies is a power combination for achieving results.
Enterprise batch records and enterprise manufacturing intelligence
Enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) has its own benefits, but it’s most useful when used with the enterprise batch records, providing personnel with to access the data they need.
Enterprise batch records and supply chain traceability
In addition to tracking a finished product from the receiving dock to the shipping dock, enterprise batch records can also connect upstream to suppliers and downstream to customers, taking traceability to the next level.
Enterprise batch records: Data collection
A commonly asked question about enterprise batch records is how do you get data into them? Many devices can be recruited for this, and once they are set up the benefits reap themselves.
New ideas for quality management: Part 6
Managing manufacturing quality is never a one-size-fits-all solution. Each situation differs and requires unique approaches to technologies, information, and training.
New ideas for quality management: Part 5
By implementing a process of testing rationalization whereby only a minimal number of tests are actually run and more tests are run only when problems occur, a process of management by exception may be implemented.
New ideas for quality management: Part 4
Laboratory information management systems are ideal for facilities that are looking to improve overall lab performance. Does LIMS make sense for you?
New ideas for quality management: Part 3
Improve quality management by recognizing the system operators. Providing them with the proper training and more responsibility over the testing process can be a win-win situation.
New ideas for quality management: Part 2
Performing test results with the lab in control can be expensive, so how can we cut the budget and still get valued results?
New ideas for quality management: Part 1
Manufacturing quality tests in the lab can take time, causing a delay in production. Consider rapid testing with operators to deliver prompt feedback and make necessary adjustments sooner.
Some perspectives on MES implementations: Part 1
A lack of understanding or definition of MES within a company can lead to the same mistakes being made on project after project.
What kind of MES do you need?
Asking yourself a few questions about what your manufacturing execution system needs to do can help sort out a large and complex project.
Enterprise batch records: Deciding what information you really need
In the final installment, consider how customer complaints can inform your decisions about what you include in your record keeping.
Enterprise batch records: A mechanism for traceability
In the second of three parts, we consider how you can add a new level of thoroughness to your product records.
Enterprise batch records: Understanding basic concepts
If you liked moving to electronic batch records from keeping them all on paper, here’s the next step where everything that happens is kept in the data. First of three parts.
Consequences of focusing too much on technology
As you’re launching a new project, ask yourself a tough question: Can you justify what you’re doing for solid business reasons, or are you simply captivated by a cool technology?
A few tools for continuous improvement
An overview of techniques and programs to evaluate and improve your manufacturing.
Using SPC in the real world
Continuing the discussion, if you are thinking about trying statistical process control, here are some ways to tell if you’re ready.
What does statistical process control really do?
Some sophisticated math can help you make your manufacturing more consistent and identify production problems sooner.