On May 14, 2019, the Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (MPETAC) met to discuss the latest matters in export control. The purpose of this committee is to advise the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration on technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to materials processing equipment and related technology. MPETAC covers articles, materials, and suppliers of metal-working equipment, numerically controlled machine tools, and robots. One of the committee’s ongoing goals is to integrate the control definitions between the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Shaurabh Singh, AMT’s research engineer, presented MTConnect to an open session of the TAC. MTConnect is a machine-to-machine communication standard for retrieving process information from industrial equipment. It can be an important component of smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0) implementation for builders (OEMs), distributors (suppliers), and end-users.
Next up was Steven Sampson who gave an insightful presentation on Boeing’s journey implementing smart factories. As an end-user, integrator, and innovator of information systems in support of their commercial aircraft business, Boeing is able to share elements of their Industry 4.0 initiative. At its current state, Boeing’s facilities with its 153,000 employees are considered smart factories.
The TAC also heard from Richard Ashooh, the U.S. assistant secretary of Commerce for Export Administration. His update included a review of the Wassenaar Arrangement, Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Australia Group, and Missile Technology Control Regime (MCTR) proposals. He also touched on other organizational updates and BIS initiatives, as well as an NPR program which aired that morning. The program covered export controls and trending technologies that could potentially require licensing.
At the next TAC meeting on August 20, special guest, Pat McGibbon, AMT’s chief knowledge officer, will present an industry overview. This summary will include statistics, analysis, and insight into the state of the machine tool and manufacturing technology industry based on the association’s extensive data collection, expertise, and involvement with its member companies.
To listen to the previously mentioned NPR program, visit: https://n.pr/2VCKmAk.
For more information on the Bureau of Industry and Security Technical Advisory Committees (TAC) including a schedule of meetings, visit: https://www.bis.doc.gov/.
