December/January 2019

| 32 | 3D printing /additive manufacturing is enabling manufacturers to overcome many of the limitations of traditional manufacturing processes – from phasing out physical inventories to bringing batch-size-one customisation within reach of a greater number of companies. Yet, with these new opportunities come new threats that must be eliminated if manufacturers are to unleash the full potential of the medium, says Lee-Bath Nelson, Co-Founder and VP Business of LEO Lane. | 34 | For many years Turck Banner has used smart solutions using “middleware” to interface directly to customer’s databases and ERP / MES systems. Smart Machines & Factories reports.l | 37 | The detail, style and speed of a 3D print are all at the mercy of the nozzle you choose. Chris Elsworthy reports. | 40 | The Industry 4.0 vision of a smart factory where every component, every device, every system and every site is digitally connected via the cloud presents an enormous design and engineering challenge. | 42 | Smart Machines & Factories takes a look at the top five ways to improve ROI on industrial drive technology. | 44 | Smart Machines & Factories caught up with Brendan O’Dowd, to take a look at how real-time control, safety, and security are driving technological innovation. | 44 | | Technologies | | Applications | | Interviews & Reports | | CONTENTS | www.smartmachinesandfactories.com December/January 2020 | 0 3 | | 47 | A new study from the Capgemini Research Institute has found that smart factories could add at least $1.5 trillion to the global economy through productivity gains, improvements in quality and market share, along with customer services. However two-thirds of this overall value is still to be realised: efficiency by design and operational excellence through closed- loop operations will make equal contributions. Smart Machines & Factories reports. | 37 |