MT Magazine May/June 2026

9

MANUFACTURING MATTERS

MAY/JUNE 2026

Manufacturing Matters Check in for the highlights, headlines, and hijinks that matter to manufacturing. These lean news items keep you updated on the latest developments.

TECHNOLOGY Ditch the Spec Sheet: Unlocking Machine Uses

What can your fancy new machine do for your shop? After all, the manuals and materials for your new toy can struggle to reflect how machines are built, configured, and operate on the shop floor. AMT’s Technology team is exploring standards-based methods to describe their real structure, configuration, and operating state so that manufacturing systems can determine what a machine is truly capable of at any given moment. The result is more trustworthy information for digital twins, higher quality machine data, and a stronger foundation for interoperability, aligning with the original vision behind MTConnect. Stay tuned for exciting updates!

INTERNATIONAL Supply Chain Automation Drives Competitiveness

Automation in manufacturing supply chains is shifting from a focus on throughput and cost reduction to becoming a core driver of strategic intelligence that drives competitiveness. Manufacturers that leverage it to create adaptive, self-optimizing networks will gain real-time visibility, anticipate disruptions, and respond at scale – turning their supply chains into a strategic advantage rather than just an operational function. For manufacturers managing complex, multi-tier supplier networks and just-in-time production models, automation enables supply chains that continuously sense, predict, and respond to change. This allows them to anticipate risks like supplier delays, capacity constraints, or geopolitical shocks before they impact operations. In this context, the supply chain becomes a decision engine, not just a fulfillment function. As volatility increases, from demand swings to component shortages, manufacturers that treat automation as a strategic capability will outperform those that view it as an incremental process improvement. The competitive edge lies in building supply chains that are not only lean but also intelligent and responsive at scale.

SMARTFORCE Automation Is Advancing, but Who Will Run It?

As capital investments accelerate in robotics, AI, and smart production systems, one challenge remains: a shortage of skilled talent to implement, operate, and maintain these technologies. Roles in automation, controls, and digital manufacturing remain especially hard to fill. The Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2026 helps address this gap by connecting more than 16,000 students and educators to real-world automation in action. New this year, the Career Pathways program gives exhibitors a direct line to this talent – promoting entry-level jobs, internships, and apprenticeships to thousands of attendees. IMTS exhibitors and visitors are invited to participate and start building a workforce pipeline as advanced as the technologies driving the shop floor. Visit IMTS.com/smartforce to get involved.