Publications
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February 01, 2018
February 2018 Highlights:
- IMS holds the fifth edition of the World Manufacturing Forum in Monterrey, Mexico
- U.S. Assumes IMS Chairmanship under the leadership of Jack Harris
- Industry 4.0 Workshops held in the Quad Cities produce new project clusters
March 06, 2018
March 2018 Highlights:
- IMS launches new web platform
- IMS publishes ManuVation 4.0 resources
- IMS announces new workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa
- IMS delivers keynote at Industry 4.0 Roadshow
April 03, 2018
April 2018 Highlights:
- IMS moves to new and improved offices
- IMS to attend 2018 Transatlantic Cluster Initiative in Germany
- World Manufacturing Forum 2018 Video Contest
- Remembering past IMS Chairman Dr. Kwan Rim
May 08, 2018
May 2018 Highlights:
- IMS to host a workshop at Manufacturing Indaba in Johannesburg, South Africa
- IMS attends industry open house
- IMS Managing Director on STEM Education Panel
- IMS at NIST Model-Based Enterprise Summit
- World Manufacturing Forum Regional Event in South Africa announced.
June 08, 2018
June 2018 Highlights:
- IMS creates World Manufacturing Forum Foundation with Partners Politecnico di Milano and Confindustria Lombardia.
- IMS on German Industry Tour
- World Manufacturing Forum Regional Event: South Africa 2018
- World Manufacturing Forum Video Contest
July 05, 2018
July 2018 Highlights:
- IMS Hosts First World Manufacturing Forum Regional Event in Johannesburg, South Africa
- IMS Guidebooks 1-6 Now Available
- World Manufacturing Forum Video Contest
August 07, 2018
August 2018 Highlights:
- World Manufacturing Forum Video Contest Winners
- IMS at South Carolina Manufacturers Conference
- IMS Guidebook 7 Now Available
September 03, 2018
September 2018 Highlights:
- IMS Partners with STEMPremier
- Remembering IMS Chair Bob Kiggans
- IMS at South Carolina Manufacturing Conference
October 06, 2018
October 2018 Highlights:
- IMS hosts seventh edition of the World Manufacturing Forum
- WMF signs agreement with UNIDO
December 20, 2018
December 2018 Highlights
- IMS welcomes new Board of Directors
- IMS at Boston Innovation Conference
- IMS presents keynote at Fourth Industrial Revolution Forum in Ulsan
February 05, 2019
February 2019 Highlights
- IMS signs M.O.U with ASM International
- IMS to host a workshop in Pretoria, South Africa
- 2019 WMF Dates Announced
April 15, 2019
- IMS Board endorses NACFAM lobbying on behalf of U.S. Manufacturing
- IMS signs MOU with CAM-i
- IMS signs MOU with NCMS
- IMS hosts ManuVation Workshop in Pretoria, South Africa
- IMS to host ManuVation Workshop and WMF Regional Event in Huntsville, AL
- IMS and BSA to partner for World Scout Jamboree
- WMF open call
October 30, 2019
- IMSI Hosts First WMF Technical Day
- WMF 2019 Report Released
January 31, 2020
- Rebecca Taylor joins IMSI board
- IMSI Chair speaks at ASM Event
CAD/CAM
Manufacturers can be more fast and flexible as well as more visible and accessible to new customers, partners and geographies by utilizing CAD/CAM systems. Building your part related data online and being able to update and share that data with suppliers and customers is critical to competing in a global economy where access to potential manufacturing partners is seemingly unlimited and business information travels fast. The definition of “business as usual” has evolved to “going digital” is now crucial for manufacturer survival.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility among suppliers. Many manufacturers interact with large customers or they do business with defense organizations. These organizations are constantly raising the bar requiring that their suppliers’ systems are adequately protected. Why? Because criminals find the weakest link, and once one system is compromised it moves around the supply chain leading to data theft, corruption, and business disruption. You can create a competitive advantage by being known as a leader in Cybersecurity and a place in the supply chain where customers have confidence that their data and systems are safe.
Data Analytics
“Data Analytics” in manufacturing is the strategic use of data collected from a wide range of business areas (eg. supply chain, finance, sales, marketing, machine sensors, distributors, customers, vendors, and more) to inform product and operational decisions. Data can be generated from external or internal sources, or even machine-to-machine interactions via the “Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).” Manufacturers are increasingly pressured to make decisions quickly, and even predictively, to retain product quality, achieve onsite safety standards, and remain competitive on national and global levels. Decision-making must be based on data.
Digital B2B Platforms
“Digital B2B Platforms” encompass all the digital communications, sales, commerce, and engagement channels that manufacturers can use to communicate with prospects, customers, employees, and colleagues. From websites to social media, email marketing to online video, manufacturers utilize Digital B2B Platforms to connect with their audiences throughout every phase of their online decision journey.
Enterprise Resource Planning
ERP platforms are usually referred to as a category of business-management software – typically a suite of integrated applications – that an organization can use to collect, store, manage, and interpret data from these many business activities. ERP provides an integrated and continuously updated view of core business processes using common databases maintained by a database management system. Each ERP Guidebook is created with the business growth needs of small and medium manufacturers in mind. By utilizing the information in this guidebook, you are taking the first steps to creating a competitive advantage for your company by innovating in the face of disruptive technologies.
Robotics and Automation
Robotics incorporates multiple engineering disciplines to design, build, program, and use robots to complete tasks – in our focus, manufacturing tasks. The purpose of industrial robots varies, and can include movement of products, materials, parts, and tools, as well as completing a wide variety of programmed tasks. Industrial automation involves using machines, robots, and control systems to automate tasks within a manufacturing process.
Automation uses a variety of technologies, including computer hardware, software, and machines, to perform tasks usually done by human workers. Robotics & Automation has the capacity to augment and replace current manufacturing processes in the future. Workers now are producing 47% more than 20 years ago. Through the development of automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, the sector has bounced back along with the overall economy.
In three to five years, manufacturers will plan for Robotics & Automation opportunities when designing factory layouts, engineering and designing products, and upskilling current employees to increase efficiencies, save money, and remain competitive.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Virtual reality, most commonly referred to as simply “VR,” utilizes computer-generated simulations of three dimensional images or environments that users can interact with in a seemingly “real” way through wearing special equipment such as VR headsets and hand-held sensors or stepping into immersive multi-screen physical environments.
Augmented reality, or “AR,” is less immersive than VR, overlaying computer-generated images on real-world objects and environments, viewed through technology-enabled glasses or with a mobile-device application. Manufacturers can achieve greater cost and time efficiencies by utilizing virtual and augmented reality technology to simulate real-world scenarios.
These technologies are critical to compete and achieve scale in a global economy of larger and greater-resourced manufacturers. Many manufacturers are already utilizing and experimenting with VR/AR to better equip their technicians for machine repairs, employee training, architectural development, equipment sales, and more.
Additive Manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing (often referred to as simply “AM”) is the process of adding layers of material (plastic, metal, concrete, etc.) upon one another to create a product. Additive Manufacturing has the capacity to complement and augment current manufacturing processes in the future. In three to five years, manufacturers will plan for Additive Manufacturing opportunities from product inception through design and production, in order to increase efficiencies, save money, and rapidly prototype. Learn more about opportunities.
IMS 2020 Roadmap
The IMS2020 Roadmap shows a realistic and desirable future for manufacturing which can be achieved if the identified research topics and their supporting actions are put in place through international collaboration. Within the current global manufacturing context, the transformation process - which requires technological innovation as a core aspect - is influenced by other factors such as economic, social, and environmental that refer to sustainability perspective.
The IMS2020 research actions, which cluster research topics, frame future technology development with regard to three important aspects of manufacturing: the economy with the market and consumers’ implications; the environment with environmental issues; and society with political and ethical implications. The main areas of research action are:
1. Technologies for Sustainability: Holistic view of product cycles in the manufacturing industry and life-cycle-optimization of manufacturing systems, products and services
2. Scarce Resources Management: Material reuse optimization, reducing global consumption of engineering materials (i.e. hydrocarbon fuels; metals, and polymers)
3. Sustainable Lifecycle of Products and Production systems: Performance and Quality of products, services and processes, and safety of people, but also of the related facilities and infrastructure
4. Sustainable Product and Production: Contribution towards the modernization of industry by improving the quality of product information and ease of access to information at the design, production, utilization, and end of life stages
5. Sustainable Businesses: Managing all the conflicting aspects of sustainability in an integrated manner, focusing not only on environmental or social performances but also on the sustainability of business
ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Annual Report for 2017 forthcoming.