The Digital Era of Manufacturing

Here's a short summary of the presentations given at Novotek Switzerland AG 's hosted event in Solothurn on 23rd October 2024:

ETHON.AI- Bernhard Kratzwald presented their highly intuitive GUI-based manufacturing analytics platform to help factories improve efficiency #OEE (efficiency.) Their platform makes it possible to detect causality in complex production processes and thus understand which production parameters to adjust to increase yields. Bernhard highlighted the importance of explainable and traceable AI, without which production staff will never take AI-based decisions. It was clear that this is one of Ethon.AI's design principles. It was fantastic to see how AI can be applied so easily into process manufacturing.

Syngenta - Matthew Levy explained setting up a common data-driven framework for decision-making across factory networks. He shared highly pragmatic examples of where data is important, critical success factors, and how to achieve a minimum level of consistency across often very different manufacturing sites. I really liked the WHY message behind his presentation; data-driven operations are key if we want to avoid overdependence on operator's experience ("Hero effect") so when key staff are offline, production performance doesn’t suffer.

Clue Security Services - Markus Oeschger reminded us the importance of OT security and the big differences in requirements securing OT vs IT environments. He gave a great overview of cybersecurity regulations and frameworks available. Security is so often a blocker for Digital Projects, so Markus's advice is highly relevant.

AUVESY-MDT - Matthias Walter gave a different but also highly interesting perspective on manufacturing resilience. With factory automation, process parameters and product recipes often reside deep inside PLCs close to production machines. If/when disaster strikes, factories burn down and this critical IP can be lost. Matthias presented his company's solution (Octoplant) for headache-free backing-up of such critical assets.

Simon Lutzenberger gave a new perspective on Sustainability… that Sustainability can be seen not just as a cost, but also a profit driver (through competitive advantage.) The new EU CSRD regulation will likely affect Swiss companies, requiring detailed energy and material consumption data throughout a product's lifecycle. I found his conclusion regarding product strategies very interesting; Simon foresees X-a-a-S (as-a-Service= models becoming much more important for products in future, powered by IoT-connectivity.

GE Vernova - Thomas Schulz lz explained the close connection between Sustainability and Digitalisation, sometimes referred to as "Twin Transformation." Reducing CO2 emissions requires accurate and continuous data from production operations/processes, from buildings, from transportation and from suppliers. Thomas showed us how all such data can be captured and managed centrally with GE Vernova's software to enable progress towards reduction goals.?

Novotek Switzerland AG - Remo Ingold introduced Novotek's focus on "Digitalisation, Automation and Analytics for a Sustainable future." Their framework Connect, Store, Model, Visualize, Optimize - is the basis of their value-add to industry.? Remo presented an impressive customer success story where they were able to reduce HVAC energy savings in a huge plant of 15%, and payback in under 1 year, using GE Vernova SW; this by developing an AI model to better align factory heating to weather conditions/forecasts, and shift planning.

Summary compiled by: Peter Angelos Comments/feedback always welcome