AI is transforming manufacturing by automating tasks, boosting production speed, and predicting maintenance needs to prevent breakdowns and cut costs.

As part of our Integr8 Playbook, this article takes on the topic of big data and IoT in driving digital transformation solutions. Learn about the challenges and success of this new technology with voices from peers in industry.

The food and beverage industry, facing intensified post-pandemic challenges in workforce, safety, efficiency, and market demands, is increasingly turning to robotics and additive manufacturing for innovative solutions.

Many manufacturers are not fully leveraging existing data sources, but in Southeast Michigan, DTE usage data and a free data plotting site can help optimize energy usage. Learn how to set up a dashboard to track energy usage with this guide by Automation Alley member Grant Pinkos, President of Detroit Steel Treating.

Learn how the Sterling Heights-based company TARUS, a clay milling machine manufacturer, implements the SINUMERIK ONE from Siemens. We are proud to count Siemens and TARUS as Automation Alley members.

Organizations are using IoT and big data analytics to connect operation technology with enterprise resource planning, aiming to eliminate waste and gain a competitive edge. Learn more about how to leverage big data analytics with insight from Omron Product Manager Thomas Kuckhoff.

Predictive Maintenance (PdM) has become routine for major manufacturers, with almost half now having a PdM team — double the number from five years ago.

Join us for an insightful and engaging event designed to help business leaders and IT professionals strategically align their network, technology, and security investments with their overall business objectives.

Integr8 Roundtable Summit is the place where leaders, innovators, and industry experts converge to shape the future of technology-driven transformation.

Join us for an engaging conversation around additive manufacturing with 3DXTech, a leading 3D printing machine and material manufacturer. Don't miss this unique opportunities.

Join us for an exclusive event tailored for manufacturers eager to tap into India's rapidly expanding market. Recently, India surpassed China to become the world's most populous nation, with 1.44 billion people.

MMTC, MGA, Automation Alley, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, and Alpena Community College are excited to host an exclusive event focused on the future of manufacturing – Industry 4.0.

Be part of Michigan’s manufacturing revolution! Hosted by MMTC, Automation Alley and Bay College West, we are bringing manufacturers, industry experts, manufacturing professionals, and students together to explore the growing world of advanced technology.

MANUFACTURING IS EVOLVING. IS YOUR BUSINESS KEEPING UP? Be part of Michigan’s manufacturing revolution! Learn how you can leverage technology to grow your company or career, including addressing workforce challenges.

Wayne County is joining Oakland and Macomb counties to expand Automation Alley's Project DIAMOnD, which has made 3D printers available to hundreds of small manufacturers to lower their costs and scale up production.

Cynthia Hutchison, US Center for Advanced Manufacturing CEO, and Katelyn Kontny, Program Manager of the Oakland University Cybersecurity Center at Automation Alley, were quoted in this WEF playbook on cyber resilience in manufacturing. Learn more about how the Forum prioritizes cybersecurity throughout the manufacturing value chain.

Our CEO Tom Kelly was quoted in this report on additive manufacturing in the Grand Rapids region. Our Integr8 Playbook on additive manufacturing and Project DIAMOnD initiative also was featured. Read more to find out how Automation Alley leads the charge in Michigan toward additive manufacturing adoption.

Noel Nevshehir, director of International Business Services and Global Strategic Partnerships at Automation Alley, shared his perspective on the de-dollarization of the global economy.

Automation Alley has facilitated more than $2 billion in global sales for small Michigan manufacturers through two decades of trade missions responsible for creating and retaining 10,000 jobs, according to the organization. Automation Alley hit the milestone after 22 years and 50 trade trips to Mexico, China, Thailand, India, Vietnam and other countries, the Troy-based nonprofit industry association announced Tuesday.

The digital technologies of Industry 4.0 have given American manufacturing a golden opportunity to level the playing field and re-shore much of the production that went to areas of the world where low-cost labor was available. At Automation Alley, we believe manufacturers that embrace new software, additive manufacturing, distributed manufacturing and other Industry 4.0 concepts will have a better chance at rising above the competition.

Automation Alley received $2 million to create a Cybersecurity Center at Oakland University in Rochester, MI aimed at reducing the impacts of disruptive cybersecurity attacks and enhancing the security of critical energy infrastructure. The Cybersecurity Center will research avenues to predict, detect, and repair cyberattacks; train workforce; and partner with government and industry entities to support threat sharing.

Unlock the transformative potential of digital twins with our comprehensive digital twin playbook, crafted from insights shared by industry leaders in technology, manufacturing, government, and academia. Discover how digital replicas can revolutionize your operations through predictive maintenance, real-time simulations, and innovative process optimization. Gain practical implementation strategies and real-world success stories that will help you integrate this cutting-edge technology into your organization. Dive in today and lead your industry into a smarter, more efficient future.

Explore the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, proactive defense strategies, and collaborative approaches to safeguard your digital assets. From data breaches to ransomware attacks, this playbook will help businesses better understand the latest trends and best practices in securing the digital future. With insights from industry, academic and policy experts, this playbook is an implementation guide aimed at helping you stay competitive in the evolving digital world.

Dive into the future of industry with Automation Alley's Integr8 Playbook on artificial intelligence (AI). This comprehensive guide, shaped by leaders in technology, manufacturing, government, and academia, explores the transformative power of AI across sectors. Discover how AI is reshaping workflows, amplifying decision-making capabilities, and driving innovation forward. Uncover insights on navigating the dynamic landscape, embracing breakthroughs, and addressing crucial ethical considerations in the rapid evolution of AI. Join us in revolutionizing how we work, live, and create with this important resource for Industry 4.0 adoption.

Embark on a journey of discovery with Automation Alley's Integr8 Playbook on Additive Manufacturing, encompassing not only the transformative potential of 3D printing but also the crucial realm of design for additive manufacturing (DFAM). This playbook emerges from a dynamic roundtable discussion where leaders across sectors—technology, manufacturing, government, and academia—converged to explore how additive manufacturing is reshaping industries and necessitating a shift in workforce mindset. With recommendations tailored for industry, academia, and government, this implementation guide equips stakeholders with the insights and strategies needed to embrace the additive manufacturing revolution. Dive into this essential resource and join us in shaping the future of manufacturing.

Explore the diverse landscape of Industry 4.0 as nations worldwide navigate unique paths of technological evolution. Each nation contributes to the global conversation on digital transformation in its own way. Despite promising advancements, significant political and social challenges hinder global collaboration, necessitating a renewed commitment to dialogue. This Integr8 Playbook is the output of industry, academic and government collaboration, and emerges as a pivotal resource, aiming to set international standards of excellence and address ethical concerns surrounding transformative technologies. Read the full playbook for actionable insights that will help define the global landscape of technological collaboration and prosperity beyond borders.

Born from the insights and discussions of our esteemed roundtable participants in industry, academia and government, this workforce playbook serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of our new digital world. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, the workforce stands at the forefront of shaping the future of industries. As we embrace artificial intelligence, automation, IoT and other digital technologies, this playbook offers actionable recommendations aimed at empowering organizations to thrive amidst digital disruption. From strategies to upskill and reskill existing talent pools to fostering a culture of innovation, this playbook provides a roadmap for building a resilient and adaptable workforce primed for success in the digital age. It not only identifies key challenges, but also offers practical solutions and best practices gleaned from real-world experiences. By leveraging the insights contained within its pages, stakeholders across industries can gain a competitive advantage, drive operational excellence, and future-proof their businesses against the uncertainties of tomorrow.

Using SQP’s Markforged FX20, Strada Percussion Drilling Systems created a lighter, more portable, and ergonomic tool that is rust-proof, user-friendly, and cost-effective, reducing production costs by 30% and lead time from two weeks to two days.

Learn how Markforged's 3D printing applications saved drone manufacturer BODUK on crucial aerospace constraints like weight and manufacturing time.

Hawaya Racing Products develops and manufactures products for Harley Davidson drag racing motorcycles. Learn how 3D printing helps produce parts that are lighter, cheaper and stronger than traditional methods.

Repairing sensitive and diverse tech systems poses a steep learning curve for new technicians. This case study focuses on how a tech insurance company was able to train new technicians safely and effectively with the latest developments in AR technology.

Company D required a pan tilt mechanism for its "personal sound space" ultrasonic speaker. Explore how ASPINA helped the startup achieve its goals through the intersection of software and hardware expertise.

Learn how Stäubli partnered with PSA Singapore to provide an automated vehicle solution to power a port that handles over 80 million TEUs of containers (TEU: twenty-foot equivalent units) yearly.

Lyons Industries is a family-owned manufacturing company that produces over 1,000 bathtubs and showers each day. Learn how an Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Grant helped the company jumpstart its Industry 4.0 journey with floor robots.

Automation Alley invites you to join our trade mission to India, the world’s most populous nation of 1.44 billion consumers with a strong demand for the following U.S.-made products, services, and technologies.

Expand your business into Mexico, the world's largest market for U.S. exports, with Automation Alley's expert assistance.

Data is the foundation of Industry 4.0, but a skilled and empowered workforce will enforce this technological change. Learn the key strategies for manufacturers to take on digital transformation.

Blockchain technology has moved beyond its cryptocurrency upbringing, serving forward-thinking companies in mitigating supply chain risks and enhancing cybersecurity. Though the technology shows promise, the question of blockchain regulation is a large x-factor in the discussion around its mass adoption. Regulation aside, the future is bright for the technology in Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing.

The field of engineering has work to do when it comes to being inclusive to all genders and races. The GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology (GACET) at Eastern Michigan University seeks to take on this challenge, providing tailor made programs for underrepresented future engineering students.

Lasting innovation doesn’t happen when designing around existing commercial components. Tesla’s “Super Bottle,” as named by Tesla Engineers, revolutionized the way EVs could seamlessly integrate components in 2017. Today, Tesla pushes the EV industry toward designing around a new 48 volt system. This will force tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 suppliers to redesign components, providing an opportunity in the EV market for those agile and iterative enough to compete.

With an unprecedented amount of construction projects related to the onshoring of manufacturing in progress, U.S. manufacturers with sustainability goals should recognize lasting change starts with building green.

Identity theft happens too often, companies are losing IP to the tune of billions of dollars every year, and we as a nation are not prepared for a cyber war. Automation Alley members Mettle Ops want to make sure your company is prepared.

How can automation tools empower businesses to leverage their own data to be more efficient and profitable? Automation Alley members Clayton & McKervey offer up some solutions that utilize KPIs, dashboards, forecasting, and analytics to help give you a competitive edge.