Smart Manufacturing

Do you know how manufacturers are planning to use generative AI and why generative AI in manufacturing has exploded in popularity? To find out, listen to our podcast with Van Meter’s Smart Manufacturing Manager, Jackie LaFleur, and Information Solutions Architect, Toni Etten, to get answers to generative AI questions.

If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic because of one slow car or waited at the drive-thru because the car ahead of you needs eight Happy Meals, you know how frustrating it is when one slow-moving process delays everything else around it. The same could be said for the conveyor system on your plant floor. Why should everything move at a fixed speed to accommodate one slow process? Would you consider a faster, more flexible alternative? We compared a traditional conveyor system with independent cart technology to help you decide which makes the most sense for you.

Have you ever wondered if other manufacturers are facing the same challenges you are? What up-and-coming technologies you should invest in to overcome those challenges?

As reports about AI continue to swirl and more manufacturers embrace AI to fuel data-driven decision making, how do you know what to believe and what to do next? Learn from Mike Hermann, Van Meter’s Vice President of Industrial Sales, about whether these common AI statements are fact or fiction.

With workforce shortages, unplanned downtime, and ever-increasing demand, building safe, productive machines in a timely fashion is more difficult than ever. But while today’s manufacturing environment is challenging, there have never been more efficient ways for OEMs to provide value for their customers. To help you turn challenges into opportunities, here are the ways OEMs can use smart machines to create more value for their customers and themselves.

Download the report now to find out what’s working for leading manufacturers, benchmark your technology usage, explore best practices and uncover 2024 trends.

Van Meter was recognized with Rockwell Automation’s Distributor Partner Innovation Award during the 2024 PartnerNetwork Conference March 20 in Orlando, FL. Annually, the Innovation Award honors a distributor that has successfully planned and executed an innovative and transformative solution using Rockwell and other partners’ digital and disruptive technologies. Van Meter received the award for helping a Midwest university improve cybersecurity and reliability by modernizing its legacy boiler system and network.

If you’ve ever struggled upgrading to a new phone or figuring out where everything is in a new vehicle, you know that change can be challenging. As manufacturers adopt new technologies, automate processes and digitize data, the way their people operate has to change. It doesn’t have to be a struggle though. Use these steps to take advantage of smart manufacturing technology while making change less challenging.

Companies implementing a cybersecurity program need to have a clear agenda and know the tools available. Four approaches and products are highlighted.

Do you lack real-time visibility into your quality processes and struggle to gather accurate data quickly? Do you spend a lot of time troubleshooting issues or encounter raw material shortages that lead to unplanned downtime? How do you track and trace materials throughout the production process, perform root cause analysis and allocate resources efficiently? Implementing a smart manufacturing platform can help you address these concerns, but do you know which platform to use? To help you decide, check out these reasons Plex can make your operations smarter.

These insights will help you benchmark your smart manufacturing journey, understand where you may be ahead of your competitors or falling behind, and make the case to leadership when improvements are needed to maintain a competitive edge.

You’ve probably heard the proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Well, your smart manufacturing journey begins with five simple steps, and it’s way less effort! Use these steps to get a smart start in smart manufacturing.