Plastic is light, cheap, and can be made into any shape if heated, making it a “gift from the 20th-century god.” The key is to maintain its uniform quality but its sensitivity to process conditions makes processing autonomy difficult. It also takes long to change the process once it is set and real-time optimization is Read more about Unmanned smart factory[…]
While today’s “smart” factories are driving demand for digitally skilled workers, a majority of Americans (71 percent) still do not perceive manufacturing jobs as high-tech occupations. With Manufacturing Day close at hand, those attitudes portend problems for U.S. industrial companies, which will need workers to fill an estimated 3.5 million manufacturing jobs during the next Read more about Manufacturing is Misperceived, Despite Digital Revolution[…]