What other area is data-rich? Let's get real about cybersecurity. What is the key to digital manufacturing? C'mon – we're not even done with Industry 4.0. Man, I miss being a CAD jockey.

Additive hanging on by a link. Spoiler Alert: Data is the foundation of DME. Mobile robots are coming. Is sustainability part of your business model? AI, where are you?

If you want to be a supplier to many major companies, then sign on to environmental practices. A great way to get started that can be hugely beneficial is to pull out that lean production manual that may be collecting dust on an office shelf.

The internet opens a whole new way to think about data sources, raising concerns about network security and data validity. Learn about the two major ways to access such data: accessed and transferred in bulk for storage; and accessed on demand.

Remember the old adage: "Garbage in" equals "garbage out." But is the data you collect good? Learn more about measured and processed manufacturing data, how they form the foundation of all digital manufacturing systems, and strategies to ensure quality.

Many companies collect data from their manufacturing operations to increase productivity and improve shop operations. Others do so as part of a contractual obligation to their customers.

While it might seem that pursuing ER&D during a downturn would be unsustainable, it is actually a sensible approach. Let’s face it: When you’re busy, you’re not likely to have your people do anything other than focus on their main tasks.

Data collection and storage is the process of gathering, arranging, and making data available for analytics. Since data quality is vital, companies must decide what should be collected and stored using newer tech like data lakes and cloud storage.

Data from CNCs, PLCs, industrial PCs, robots, sensors, and other external sources form the foundation of any digital manufacturing solution. The challenges are in determining which data is important, understanding it, cybersecurity, and data validation.

Are you adding an MTConnect adapter and agent to legacy equipment? The AMT-Virginia Tech team collected and visualized data for production managers to monitor real-time metrics and build accurate reports from legacy equipment.