Manufacturing Matters

On this episode of Manufacturing Matters, Ray Hoare, CEO of Concurrent EDA joined Jimmy Carroll and John Lewis at SPIE Photonics West 2024 to dive into the latest developments and trends in industrial computing and processing, with a particular focus on FPGAs and their role in edge AI. Topics included pushing AI capabilities directly onto cameras, DPU processing, and exciting developments from AMD that are set to drive AI capabilities forward. Additional topics include GPUs vs. FPGAs for edge AI, high-resolution cameras, custom camera design, and more.

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This year is an exciting one for the A3 - Association for Advancing Automation! Not only will this be the first year that #Automate becomes an annual event, but 2024 also marks 50 years since the association was founded. This week, TECH B2B Marketing’s Amanda Del Buono was joined by A3’s Vice President of Marketing Deb Kling, Director of Marketing Clarissa Schwendeman, and Media Production Manager Jana Martin to discuss the association’s milestone anniversary and its future, along with some of the latest technological developments and growth drivers in the #automation space. They also discussed the growing role of women in automation and tech.

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Sam Rubin, president and CEO of LightPath Technologies, joined TECH B2B Marketing’s Winn Hardin and Daniel McCarthy on the Manufacturing Matters podcast to discuss the latest technology trends in visible and infrared optical sub-systems as well as the applications thereof. Topics included what drove the company’s recent acquisitions as well as its shift from a pureplay components manufacturer to an imaging solutions provider. Rubin also discusses how markets for space- and milspec optics are shaping demand for infrared optics, but also how geopolitics and export controls are shifting interest toward alternatives to rare earth lens materials.

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Jeff Bier, Founder of the Edge AI and Vision Alliance and President of BDTI, joins TECH B2B Marketing’s Winn Hardin and Jimmy Carroll on the Manufacturing Matters podcast to discuss the latest in all things related to edge artificial intelligence and computer vision. Topics included emerging applications and key technology trends, including vision-language models, which use language to improve visual perception, and multi-modal models, which meld inputs from multiple sensor types. Jeff also shared highlights from the Alliance’s recent survey of vision application developers, and he provided a preview of the annual Embedded Vision Summit. 

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On this episode of Manufacturing Matters, Fabio Perelli, Senior Manager, Product Management at Zebra Technologies joined Winn Hardin and Jimmy Carroll at the A3 Business Forum 2024 to discuss some of the most exciting technologies and applications within Zebra’s machine vision and fixed industrial scanner group. Topics included the latest developments in deep learning and 3D imaging in areas including electric vehicle battery manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, and packaging. Additional topics including cloud computing, the Zebra acquisition of Matrox, and what’s in store for the immediate future. 

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On this episode of Manufacturing Matters, Juan Aparicio, Founder & CEO of Reshape Automation and member of the A3 Artificial Intelligence Technology Strategy Board joined Jimmy Carroll at Automate 2023 to discuss the state of AI and deep learning today, including its practical and real-life applications, the importance of keeping a human in the loop, and its overall role in automation today. The discussion also covers vision-guided robotics advancements, ChatGPT hype, 3D printing, simulation, cloud computing, and more. 

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Meghan Kennelly, Head of Global Marketing at German Bionic, joins TECH B2B Marketing’s Amanda Del Buono and Jimmy Carroll on the Manufacturing Matters podcast to discuss the latest in robotics in manufacturing, with a twist. Topics smart power suit technologies, AI’s role in robotics, workplace safety and operational efficiency, labor shortages, and more.

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 Michael Lynch, CEO of Praxie and former head of Internet of Things at SAP, joined Jimmy Carroll, vice president of operations at TECH B2B Marketing, on the Manufacturing Matters podcast, where they discussed the benefits that the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and process digitalization can bring to the manufacturing industry. 

Praxie’s enterprise software solution uses AI to help businesses digitally transform their operations at low costs. The software offers preconfigured applications, or users can work with Praxie experts to create customized solutions.

During the podcast, Lynch discussed major trends in AI and manufacturing and how manufacturers should think about and use the technology. He also outlined barriers to implementation and basic steps to get started with AI.

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Joining Manufacturing Matters is Dan Broihan with Automation Controls & Engineering (ACE), who shares his thoughts on working with manufacturers new to automation, recruiting the next generation of workers, and growth opportunities outside the U.S. ACE, which provides turnkey automation and integration systems across a variety of applications, sees increasing demand within its company and its partners. 

“If you don’t automate, you will evaporate,” Broihan says. In fact, those companies that invest in automation are seeing higher operational efficiency, throughput, and quality. One of the biggest industry challenges is attracting younger workers, who “don’t want to do the dull, dirty, dangerous work” affiliated with the traditional factory floor, he says. Instead, they want high-tech jobs — a perfect fit for today’s increased need for automation. Broihan also discusses ACE’s expansion into Mexico.

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On this episode of Manufacturing Matters, Sina Afrooze, Co-Founder and CEO of Apera AI joined Jimmy Carroll at Automate 2023 to discuss trends and applications in vision-guided robotics, artificial intelligence software, 3D imaging, and what Apera calls “4D vision” for robotic applications. Afrooze also discusses difficult “non-conforming” applications where AI may be suitable, model training, edge AI processing requirements and advancements, the importance of automation amidst labor shortages, and the next wave of automation in factories. 

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