Manufacturing and Automation White Papers

This whitepaper explains how manufacturers can move from manual powder tracking to data-driven lifecycle control. It covers how powder changes during reuse, how different reuse strategies affect cost, traceability and quality, and what regulated AM production needs to prove powder remained under control across its lifecycle.

The growth and sophistication of cybercriminals, ransomware and hacker attacks has reached epic levels, CEOs can no longer ignore it or Hope, “That won’t happen to us.” Vistit To Receive Your FREE Report

This whitepaper explores how production system reliability can be improved in automated manufacturing environments by reducing maintenance-related downtime. It introduces a system-level approach to minimize MTTR and enable maintenance-free operation of critical subsystems in automotive production lines

Every 3D build preparation starts with the question: how should this part be oriented? Finding the right orientation to print metal additive manufacturing (AM) parts successfully, economically, reliably, and within specifications isn‘t always easy. But in this whitepaper, we guide you through using the right software to simplify and support the decision-making and data preparation process.

This whitepaper summarizes an LCA study by BASF and Materialise, comparing the sustainability of 3DP with traditional manufacturing processes for a product.

Integrating additive manufacturing (AM) into your existing manufacturing processes lowers the total cost of ownership of your products. But did you know you can reduce it even further? Explore three ways 3D printing can improve cost-efficiency, increase productivity, and boost engagement in your workforce through AM software and design for additive manufacturing (DfAM).

Produced by the aerospace team at Materialise, this whitepaper offers an overview of the supply chain benefits and opportunities of using AM for the manufacturing of low-criticality plastic parts.

Software plays an essential role in the metal 3D printing process. There are many software tools that enable you to speed up the learning process, reducing trial and error and build crashes.

For decision-makers in production and quality management – Automotive, Mechanical Engineering, Vehicle Manufacturing, Rail Technology, Medical Technology.

We’ve created this guide based on our researchers’ experience in project and resource management to let you know: How a project management methodology impacts your organization; What performance should be measured and how exactly; What you should focus on when assessing your projects’ state; How a resource management solution helps organize your multi-project environment; How artificial intelligence can contribute to your projects’ success; The optimal way to implement changes to your organization.

The eBook brings together perspectives from product leaders, embedded software developers, AI engineers, educators, and robotics specialists to examine the challenges of developing increasingly intelligent embedded systems and the tools available to simplify that process. Through interviews, technical discussions, and practical application scenarios, the eBook highlights how engineers can leverage the UNO Q platform, Arduino® App Lab environment, and Arduino® Bridge Library to combine a Debian Linux environment with real-time control. It also examines rapid AI prototyping, computer vision integration, and the transition from proof of concept to production.

Arm yourself with the right knowledge based on your competitors’ experience to cope with arising challenges in defence and start delivering the desired outcomes with less effort.

Insight Works is an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) that caters to the manufacturing and distribution industry. Their product line features a breadth of end-to-end apps that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. There are apps designed for manufacturing, distribution, shipping, sales, productivity, barcoding, and more. Headquartered in Canada since 2008, Insight Works™ operates remote offices in the United States and the Netherlands.

Many companies feel secure because they run regular backups. The data is backed up, IT has everything under control. But this is one of the biggest mistakes in data management: a backup protects systems - archiving protects the company. If you don't take this difference into account strategically, you risk increasing costs, growing dependencies and, in an emergency, even legal problems.

Inventory tracking means monitoring stock movements to increase visibility in the company’s supply chain. This added transparency helps businesses improve their ordering and overall inventory management practices, ensure traceability, and make sure that items are exactly where you need them, when you need them.

Integrating photonic structures or elements such as waveguides, photodiodes, lasers, and multiplexers presents a variety of demanding challenges to test and assembly processes, starting at wafer level through to final packaging. The common theme: multiple channels, multiple elements, and multiple interacting inputs, as well as outputs, across multiple degrees of freedom, all requiring multiple alignment optimization.

The online platform offers on-demand access to both ferrous and nonferrous courses delivered by industry experts. With interactive content, multimedia resources, and up-to-date technical information, the platform empowers students to expand their knowledge and skills at their own pace, from any location. Each course follows a structured, user-friendly format, combining industry-leading content with practical application for real-world scenarios.

Many of the devices and systems that people rely on for wireless communication, power transfer, navigation, and sensing operate within the RF spectrum. With such a diverse range of applications and markets, designing RF circuits can be a complex and nuanced process. The RF Design Handbook explains key concepts and provides engineers with the knowledge they need to get started. The eBook also explores the tools and components that will help engineers bring their ideas to life. Among the new products featured in the eBook are the following:

The AI paradigm is undergoing a fundamental shift: moving from an R&D curiosity in the cloud to mission-critical Operational Technology (OT) running at the edge. This transition isn't just a trend; it is a technical necessity driven by the unavoidable constraints of latency, bandwidth, and cost that plague cloud-only models in real-time environments. “The Edge AI Deployment Roadmap: Six Predictions for AI Implementation in 2026” provides a concise, actionable guide to navigating this critical transition. It distills the complex landscape into six core predictions tailored for engineers and leaders who need to move AI from a successful proof-of-concept to fully operational, long-term deployments on the factory floor, in intelligent cities, and across smart grids.

New survey reveals the role that elevated flooring and mezzanines are playing in today’s warehouses and DCs and highlights the value of composite engineered wood flooring as a surface of choice for these structures.

As industries strive for greater efficiency and lower emissions, the composites sector faces a pivotal challenge: how to close the loop and embed circularity into every stage of production. This whitepaper explores how Exel Composites is leading the way—rethinking material choices, pioneering recycling partnerships, and adopting a lifecycle mindset to minimize environmental impact. Discover the realities and opportunities of sustainable composites manufacturing. Learn how innovative recycling methods, bio-based resins, and collaborative industry initiatives are shaping a more circular future. See how Exel’s practical approach is turning ambition into action, delivering durable, high-performance solutions while reducing waste and supporting climate goals. Access the free material by filling out the form below and find out how you can be part of the journey toward a more sustainable composites industry.

Static electricity can be a major nuisance in manufacturing. It can affect the finish/quality of the products being produced. EXAIR's White Paper "Basics of Static Electricity" is designed to help readers learn about the causes of static electricity.

Compressed air safety is a concern within manufacturing environments. Learn about the dangers that can come from high pressure and noise exposure. Improper use of compressed air commonly exceeds OSHA's noise exposure standards

Compressed air is a limited resource that is generated in-house for the benefit of many operations within the facility. Learn how to ensure all point of use applications are using your compressed air in the most effective and efficient way possible.

A low cost, reliable way to cool & purge electronic control panels. EXAIR Cabinet Coolers incorporate a vortex tube to produce cold air from compressed air - with no moving parts. Learn more now "How EXAIR Cabinet Coolers Can End Costly Shutdowns".

Authored by Kim Sjödahl, Exel’s Senior Vice President, Technology & Sustainability, the publication examines the full lifecycle of composites and highlights the sector’s reliance on virgin raw materials alongside the recycling challenges created by durable fiber-reinforced materials. Drawing on industrial-scale recycling initiatives and Exel’s own programs, it emphasizes that circularity begins with design and requires transparency and shared responsibility across the value chain.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software can greatly improve your day-to-day operations. However, it’s important to know that the total investment for such systems goes beyond the software license. A clear picture of all costs helps you budget accurately, avoid hidden costs, and ensure your ERP delivers real value over time.

Boost the quality of your production with the PG worker assistance system. Clear, visual step-by-step instructions guide your employees safely through each work step—for error-free, standardized processes and measurably higher efficiency. With Q·AI, the new integrated AI extension, you can automatically transform work instructions into digital step-by-step guides – simply upload the file and you're done.

ITW Vortec believes in providing expertly designed compressed air solutions that improve efficiency and increase productivity. We achieve this by Listening, Educating and Delivering Quality customer service and solutions to each individual. View our many Whitepapers here.

In this white paper, we thoroughly explore the groundbreaking influence of Generative AI on Smart Manufacturing, discussing its capabilities, applications, and profound transformative potential it holds for the industry. Decisyon’s cutting-edge approach to integrating Generative AI into manufacturing processes is examined in detail, showcasing the pathway to enhanced efficiency, agility, and innovation. This is the first in a series of white papers related to enhancing manufacturing with AI. Please notify us if you would like to receive our upcoming white papers.

Are you truly maximizing the sustainability & productivity of your automation system? Your automation systems should do more than just keep up—they should drive your business forward. With Emerson’s Floor to Cloud™ portfolio, you can connect every level of production, turning motion control into a powerful source of productivity and efficiency. Selecting the optimal motion control technology is key. Download this whitepaper to decide which technology is most effective for you.

As industrial environments modernize and embrace IIoT technologies, the need for fast, scalable, and secure data exchange has never been greater. MQTT has emerged as the protocol of choice, offering lightweight, event-driven communication between edge devices and enterprise systems. But even the most elegant protocol is only as good as its implementation — and at the heart of that implementation is the MQTT broker. This whitepaper explores best practices for deploying MQTT brokers in operational environments where uptime, performance, and security are critical. Whether you’re working in water/wastewater, manufacturing, oil and gas, or energy distribution, these guidelines will help you build a robust foundation for MQTT-based data architecture. We’ll cover deployment models, security considerations, performance tuning, and tips for scaling across your OT/IT infrastructure.

In dynamic manufacturing environments, machine vision systems benefit from being adaptable and simple to setup. That’s why we created the white paper “The Benefits and Trade-offs of Modular Machine Vision Lights Form”. It explores how modular lighting systems can streamline development and improve performance across a wide range of applications. Designed for both engineers and system integrators, this paper highlights how modular lighting offers new levels of versatility, helping teams respond quickly to changes in inspection conditions.

If it’s been awhile since you did a formal strategic plan, we’ve compiled a list of questions to get the ball rolling. The text below goes into lots of detail and there are tips for people new to the whole process. After reading, you can download a streamlined and bulleted checklist of the questions and action items. So grab the beverage of your choice, settle in and ask yourself (and your team) the following questions:

Navigating cybersecurity for your shop can seem like a labyrinth, especially for manufacturers handling Federal Contract Information (FCI). With the DOD’s CMMC 2.0 final rule posted, we’re here to help simplify the process.

Data and analytics have changed the game in ways that almost seem impossible. These days, the world’s most valuable resource isn’t something that can be formed into a shape. Well, not exactly. This eBook takes a deep dive into how data can serve your manufacturing business. Learn about the three types of analytics. See how data can bridge communication gaps within an organization. Reimagine your research and development. Create more links to your supply chain. Integrate analytics with smart factory capabilities.

Discover which technologies can best help you unlock new opportunities and equip your business to meet future challenges. Distribution is an ever-changing industry, and the technology that enables digital transformation can help your business stay competitive. In this eBook, you’ll learn the six key technologies that are essential to digital transformation, what to consider when choosing each solution, and how to track and measure the performance of each.

In today’s fast-paced global economy, supply chains are more interconnected than ever, creating opportunities for growth but also introducing new challenges. Compliance has emerged as a critical factor to overcome to ensure that products and operations meet the requirements and standards used by regulators, suppliers, and customers. These three equally important elements (regulatory, supplier, and customer) form the ‘Compliance Triangle’, which serves as the foundation for supply chain efficiency, resilience, and growth. By integrating cloud labeling into your operations, you can streamline your compliance strategy, establishing a strong pivotal point for supply chain success.

Learn about our High-Performance motor platform for robotics. Read about our unique system features, core applications, and system integration considerations.

Backup was yesterday. Today, legally compliant archiving counts. Avoid audit risks - and reduce your IT costs in the long term. Read the whitepaper to find out why classic backups don't stand up to audits - and how you can ensure compliance and save budgets with structured archiving.

The white paper, “Accelerating Smart Manufacturing: Best Practices for Small and Medium Manufacturers,” draws on lessons learned from several recent NCMS initiatives as well as research conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and others focused on smart manufacturing implementation. Among the NCMS projects explored, two are highlighted as case studies for pilot projects. These offer insights into the benefits of implementing solutions such as adding business intelligence (BI) reporting capabilities, and upgrading enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

The global industrial automation market is projected to grow to $395.09 billion by 2029 and early adopters are already gaining a competitive edge. As a result, failing to adopt this technology at such a crucial juncture can prove costly for your business. Specifically, we have found that investing in an autonomous DriveMod Tugger costs one-fourth as much as delaying your investment in automation. In this white paper, we explore that by doing nothing, your organization will face high, hidden costs related to labor, productivity, and safety.

Manufacturing traceability isn’t just a fancy catchword. It’s the mark of quality, compliance, and competitiveness for shops of all sizes. Find out what traceability really means for smaller manufacturers, learn how it protects your production process, and discover practical ways to implement it without blowing your budget.

Quoting is a crucial part of any manufacturing business – get it wrong, and you risk lost sales, wasted resources, and costly pricing mistakes. In this article, we explore the key aspects of manufacturing quoting and its common pitfalls and provide practical tips to improve the process.

Keeping track of your actual costs is vital for ensuring profitability, especially in industries where production costs fluctuate. Here is how and why to implement actual costing in your company.

Configurable BOMs enable companies to easily plan the manufacture of products with variations. Here is how they work and how they help.

A multi-level BOM is a bill of materials that represents the composition of various subassemblies in addition to the final product. This type of BOM becomes indispensable when a certain level of product complexity is reached, but there are also situations where the use of a multi-level BOM is unwarranted.