Best of LinkedIn: Smart Manufacturing CW 43/ 44

00:00:00: This episode is provided by Thomas Algeier and Frenus based on the most relevant LinkedIn posts about smart manufacturing in calendar weeks, forty three and forty four.

00:00:09: Frenus is a B to B market research company that supports enterprises across the smart manufacturing industry.

00:00:16: with the market, customer and competitive insights they need to navigate dynamic markets and drive customer centric product development.

00:00:24: Welcome to the deep dive.

00:00:26: Our mission today, well, it's pretty laser-focused.

00:00:28: We're diving deep into the really critical smart manufacturing insights that we're bubbling up on LinkedIn in late October.

00:00:36: And looking across all the stuff you shared, the theme isn't just innovation anymore, is it?

00:00:40: It feels more like making innovation work.

00:00:43: Exactly.

00:00:44: It's about that pragmatic shift.

00:00:45: Taking those pilots off the drawing board and into, you know, real production, resilient production.

00:00:50: Precisely.

00:00:51: And it's necessary, right?

00:00:52: We're kind of moving past the theoretical hype.

00:00:54: The core discussion now is really about building foundational capability.

00:00:59: So for you listening, this is basically your shortcut to understanding how AI is actually being used right now in live environments.

00:01:06: Not just demos.

00:01:07: Not just demos.

00:01:08: And why that digital infrastructure underneath it all is, well, non-negotiable.

00:01:12: And also where digital twin tech is actually giving measurable ROI.

00:01:16: like today.

00:01:17: Okay,

00:01:17: good.

00:01:18: So let's start where maybe the biggest mindset shift is happening.

00:01:21: Theme one, AI, industry.

00:01:24: five point oh, and what that human machine partnership really looks like.

00:01:28: Right.

00:01:29: What jumped out immediately for me was Chris Stevens's insight.

00:01:32: He argued pretty strongly actually that successful AI implementation isn't just plugging something in.

00:01:38: Right, it's not just IT.

00:01:39: No.

00:01:39: It really hinges on optimizing the whole package.

00:01:42: Yeah.

00:01:42: People, process, and technology.

00:01:44: Yeah.

00:01:44: He even compared AI's arrival to the assembly line.

00:01:47: Wow, okay.

00:01:48: That's a big statement.

00:01:49: It is.

00:01:49: A technology that fundamentally changes productivity and... the role of people.

00:01:54: It's systemic transformation, not just a new tool.

00:01:57: And that view pushes us straight into industry.

00:01:59: five point O territory, doesn't it?

00:02:00: It's a term we hear a lot.

00:02:01: We do.

00:02:02: But Suraj A and Oma G, they clarified it.

00:02:04: They said this era is specifically about collaboration.

00:02:09: Human AI teaming.

00:02:12: Humans bring the creativity, the problem solving.

00:02:15: The adaptability, yeah.

00:02:17: And the AI handles the heavy lifting on data.

00:02:19: The pattern recognition, crunching numbers at speeds we just can't match.

00:02:23: So it's augmentation, not replacement.

00:02:25: Exactly.

00:02:26: That pairing unlocks things we couldn't really touch before.

00:02:30: true mass customization or really deeply embedded sustainability where AI is constantly monitoring resources.

00:02:37: Across the whole supply chain.

00:02:38: Yeah, feedback loops everywhere.

00:02:40: But, okay, how do we actually get that down to the factory floor, that high-level idea?

00:02:44: Well, Pranav Whathera sort of zeroed in on needing a proper AIoT strategy.

00:02:48: That's the mechanism, the how.

00:02:49: AI and IoT together.

00:02:51: Right.

00:02:51: It takes a system that's just connected and makes it, oh, self-optimizing.

00:02:55: An ecosystem.

00:02:56: Think of it like the factory's nervous system.

00:02:58: Chensing, learning.

00:02:59: And then acting.

00:03:00: autonomously, without waiting for someone to tell what to do.

00:03:03: That's real agility.

00:03:04: Okay, that makes sense.

00:03:05: Do we have examples of that actually happening?

00:03:07: We do, a perfect one.

00:03:08: Ryan Holtmetric's team, they're actively integrating SAP Juul, that's an AI copilot, directly into live SAP digital manufacturing MES operations.

00:03:19: Live.

00:03:20: Across multiple plans

00:03:21: across multiple plans.

00:03:23: This isn't a lab test.

00:03:24: It's real.

00:03:24: Okay, hang on chat with our data.

00:03:26: You mentioned that phrase.

00:03:28: What does that actually mean for the operator on the shift?

00:03:31: Is it usable?

00:03:31: That's the key.

00:03:32: usability means an operator.

00:03:34: Maybe someone newer, right?

00:03:35: Yeah, they can literally ask the MES system is using natural language.

00:03:39: Hey, why is machine three running slow today?

00:03:41: and the AI answers.

00:03:43: The

00:03:43: AI co-pilot pulls the real-time sensor data, looks at maintenance logs, everything, and gives contextual guidance.

00:03:49: Maybe suggest troubleshooting steps right there.

00:03:51: Ah, so it democratizes that expert knowledge.

00:03:54: Exactly.

00:03:55: Knowledge that used to be stuck in a veteran operator's head or buried in some manual.

00:03:59: It moves AI help from the simulation right into the actual workflow.

00:04:03: That's a huge difference for skills and just keeping things running.

00:04:07: Oh.

00:04:07: Okay, speaking of workflow, that kind of AI needs solid ground, right?

00:04:12: Which brings us to theme two.

00:04:14: Emias, digital backbones, connectivity, the essentials.

00:04:18: This is the hard truth that Brian Carroll's second really laid out.

00:04:24: You cannot layer fancy tech on top of chaos.

00:04:27: Full stock.

00:04:29: The absolute first step, the foundation has to be a strong digital backbone.

00:04:33: And that's not just wiring up machines.

00:04:36: No, it's about connecting strategy, data and people across the whole organization.

00:04:40: If your top level strategy doesn't digitally flow down to the machine level, your pilot

00:04:44: project falls over.

00:04:45: Exactly.

00:04:45: You get brittle, expensive pilots that just collapse under real

00:04:49: world pressure.

00:04:49: Okay, backbone first, then you need the system to manage it all.

00:04:52: Craig Scott confirmed MES, the manufacturing execution system, is still that vital ITOT layer.

00:04:59: We hear different acronyms, MAMIEM, LIMS.

00:05:01: Yeah, lots of jargon.

00:05:02: But the core function of MES, he says, is the same.

00:05:05: Visibility, traceability for compliance, adding context to raw data, and keeping control over execution.

00:05:11: It's the traffic cop.

00:05:13: And the universal translator for the shop floor.

00:05:15: Right.

00:05:16: Now, as operations get more spread out, connectivity becomes a global issue.

00:05:20: Jen's Griner pointed towards the acceleration of Amazon Kuiper.

00:05:24: Ah, that's Amazon's satellite internet project, right?

00:05:26: That's

00:05:26: the one.

00:05:27: Griner sees its, you know, steady monthly launches as a potential future milestone.

00:05:32: Secure the fast global connectivity.

00:05:35: Which manufacturers need?

00:05:37: Desperately, especially multinationals.

00:05:39: Think about linking globally distributed smart factories back to central cloud services, back to those AI tools we talked about.

00:05:46: Kuiper could offer the bandwidth.

00:05:47: and low latency needed wherever the factory is.

00:05:50: Okay.

00:05:51: And getting data to the cloud is one thing, but making it usable.

00:05:54: Finchage CoachR noted that leading companies are tackling this by building a specific foundation, the Unified Namespace, or UNS.

00:06:02: Ah, the UNS, yes.

00:06:04: That's a bit of a game changer.

00:06:05: How

00:06:05: so?

00:06:06: Think

00:06:06: of it like a universal directory.

00:06:08: Or maybe a data librarian for the whole factory.

00:06:10: A data librarian, I like that.

00:06:12: It uses cloud services to basically orchestrate all the diverse systems, legacy stuff, new IIT sensors, into one coherent real-time data flow.

00:06:22: So everything speaks the same language.

00:06:24: Essentially, yes.

00:06:25: Without forcing you to rip and replace every machine, it allows for that process optimization, the predictive maintenance, using the data you already have.

00:06:34: It's quite an elegant solution for integrating older equipment.

00:06:36: That

00:06:36: makes a lot of sense.

00:06:38: Okay, from orchestrating data to simulating reality, let's talk theme three, digital twin and virtualization in action.

00:06:46: And we probably need to start by clearing up the buzzword confusion.

00:06:49: We definitely do.

00:06:49: Brian Marsh made a really crucial clarification here.

00:06:52: If you're just looking at a static, three D CAD model.

00:06:55: That is not a digital twin.

00:06:56: Right.

00:06:57: A true digital twin has to be dynamic.

00:06:59: Yeah.

00:06:59: Real time.

00:07:00: It needs live data streaming into it.

00:07:02: And critically, it needs bi-directional communication.

00:07:05: Meaning.

00:07:06: Meaning.

00:07:06: the twin can actually influence the physical asset, not just mirror it.

00:07:09: It's a living reflection, not just a snapshot.

00:07:12: Got

00:07:12: it.

00:07:12: A living mirror.

00:07:13: And the value comes when that mirror helps guide big decisions like automation.

00:07:19: Exactly.

00:07:19: Sandra Nielsen pointed out, manufacturers are strategically using the twin to map out and frankly, simplify their automation journeys.

00:07:29: Which can be really complex.

00:07:30: So it makes it less daunting.

00:07:32: Yes.

00:07:33: And Rahul Gar gave a great practical example, using it to ease the introduction of advanced robots through virtual commissioning.

00:07:40: Virtual commissioning.

00:07:41: Tell me more about that.

00:07:42: It's a massive cost and risk reducer.

00:07:44: Imagine testing a new multi-million dollar production line physically.

00:07:49: The downtime, the potential for errors.

00:07:51: Yeah,

00:07:51: scary.

00:07:52: With virtual commissioning, you test every single movement, every sequence, every potential fault scenario in the digital twin first.

00:07:59: You de-risk the deployment hugely, cut down physical setup time, and basically guarantee performance before you even switch the real thing on.

00:08:07: Okay,

00:08:07: I see the appeal.

00:08:08: And we saw real-world examples of this.

00:08:10: We did.

00:08:11: Brent Robbers highlighted how it's used in pharma manufacturing process planning.

00:08:15: They're simulating and optimizing entire production lines before any physical investment.

00:08:19: Which in pharma must be huge for compliance too.

00:08:22: Absolutely.

00:08:23: Pre-simulating helps nail GXP compliance right off the bat and drastically cuts time to market for new products.

00:08:30: That's critical in such a regulated space.

00:08:32: And another example.

00:08:33: Emin

00:08:33: Feliz showcased the Siemens and Heller partnership.

00:08:37: They use the digital twin, combined with NXGAM software, to virtually test and optimize a really complex machining program for an EV transfer case.

00:08:45: Precision

00:08:46: stuff.

00:08:46: Down to the micromilometer.

00:08:48: Ensuring the virtual design and the physical cutting are perfectly synced before touching metal.

00:08:52: That's impressive.

00:08:54: And to make sure companies can actually use this power, David Morley mentioned Siemens is actively offering digital twin training, specifically for CNC manufacturers.

00:09:02: So bridging the virtual gains to the shop floor.

00:09:05: Precisely.

00:09:06: The goal is enabling the people running the machines to translate those simulation benefits, like reduced tool wear, faster cycles, into real, tangible improvements in park quality and throughput.

00:09:16: Okay, which leads us perfectly into our final theme, kind of framing all this investment.

00:09:21: Theme for operational resilience and these bigger global industry shifts.

00:09:25: Yeah, Eduardo Fernandez-Kanga really summed up the new reality.

00:09:29: He said that in a world that's just constantly disrupted, geopolitics, climate, supply chains, you name it.

00:09:35: It feels like nonstop disruption lately.

00:09:37: It does.

00:09:38: He argues resilience is now the real currency for manufacturing success.

00:09:42: Yeah.

00:09:43: Sometimes even more important than pure efficiency.

00:09:45: And that resilience is powered by.

00:09:47: By fully connected systems, ERP, talking to the shop floor, all orchestrated by smart AI.

00:09:52: That's where the ability to adapt quickly comes

00:09:54: from.

00:09:55: But getting that level of connection and intelligence requires investment.

00:09:58: Serious investment.

00:10:00: It

00:10:00: does.

00:10:00: And Karen Mathis had a pretty stark message about that.

00:10:03: He basically said, the good old days of stable low cost operations, they're not coming back.

00:10:09: Ouch.

00:10:10: Success in say, twenty twenty five demands investing in modern equipment, but maybe even more importantly, investing in upskilling your people.

00:10:18: Into

00:10:18: different roles.

00:10:19: Into higher paying technical roles.

00:10:21: We need programmers, advanced technicians, people who are really good problem solvers.

00:10:26: Roles that justify the automation spend.

00:10:28: That

00:10:28: makes sense.

00:10:29: It's a different kind of workforce.

00:10:30: It is.

00:10:31: And we even saw a really immediate example of how global stability impacts manufacturing confidence.

00:10:37: Bubari Boral noted how the Israel Hamas ceasefire almost instantly boosted confidence in the UAE manufacturing sector.

00:10:44: Wow,

00:10:44: that quickly.

00:10:45: That quickly.

00:10:46: It eased the volatility in energy and material costs?

00:10:49: Sure.

00:10:50: But crucially, it helps secure trade routes like the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

00:10:54: Which reinforces the UAE's position as a hub.

00:10:56: Exactly.

00:10:57: It just shows how interconnected everything is.

00:10:59: Yeah.

00:10:59: Even advanced local manufacturing depends heavily on that global stability.

00:11:03: Fascinating.

00:11:04: Okay, finally, let's look at market readiness, maybe in growth areas.

00:11:09: Robert Little highlighted some hurdles for Indian robotics integrators.

00:11:13: Yeah, things like tough tariffs exporting to the US.

00:11:16: But domestically, there's an interesting shift happening in ROI expectations for automation.

00:11:20: What's

00:11:20: changing?

00:11:21: Well, for years, the expectation was often an almost impossible payback period, like under two years.

00:11:26: Which probably led to bad projects.

00:11:28: Often, yes.

00:11:30: Brittle, poorly scoped projects.

00:11:33: But little notes that persistent labor shortages are finally forcing a mindset shift.

00:11:39: The expected ROI is moving towards a more realistic three years.

00:11:43: And three years feels much more achievable for major transformation, doesn't it?

00:11:47: Absolutely.

00:11:48: It signals that leaders are starting to see automation not just as a quick cost cut, but as a longer term strategic necessity for workforce stability, for competitiveness.

00:11:59: To sign a maturity perhaps.

00:12:00: I think so.

00:12:01: And, you know, it loops right back to probably the best single piece of advice we saw across all these posts from Jeff Winter.

00:12:08: What was that?

00:12:09: He basically said, stop waiting for certainty about the future.

00:12:11: It's never going to be perfectly clear.

00:12:13: True enough.

00:12:13: Instead, focus on building capability.

00:12:16: Pick something that matters, give it resources, set a short target, and just prioritize learning and adapting as you go.

00:12:22: Act before you feel hundred percent ready.

00:12:24: Build the plane while you're flying it.

00:12:25: Sort

00:12:26: of.

00:12:26: Kind of, yeah.

00:12:27: But maybe make sure you have the blueprints first.

00:12:29: That's how you actually shape the future instead of just reacting to whatever happens next.

00:12:33: That is fantastic, actionable advice, build capability, adapt and act.

00:12:38: Okay, if you enjoyed this deep dive, new episodes drop every two weeks.

00:12:42: Also check out our other editions on digital construction and digital power tools.

00:12:46: Thank you for diving deep with us and we encourage you to subscribe for more insights.