Optomec unveils vision for its digital transformation
August 8, 2023
Optomec, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, has announced its vision to drive digital transformation throughout the company in order to deliver modern capabilities and efficiencies to customers. The core focus will be a commitment to developing synergies between hardware and software to enable a modern approach to digital automation and digital manufacturing across its product portfolio. This will provide customers with a cost-effective method of managing workloads and equipment, analysing data and output, resulting in enhanced manufacturing process quality and efficiency.
Manufacturers are increasing the pace of investments in advanced and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics, according to a report by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).
The report states, “Digital technologies also present significant opportunities to enhance efficiencies, increase resilience and improve the bottom line. New technologies are being used to generate top-line growth by accelerating innovation and providing the data necessary to create new products and business models.” Optomec aims to achieve its vision by focusing on three main areas:
Software Integration
One of the main drivers of Industry 4.0 is the use of advanced technology in the form of software to create greater value throughout the manufacturing process. Within the next year, Optomec plans to integrate its existing production control software into a unified enterprise-grade software management platform. This integration looks to deliver significant value to customers by using data, analytics, and extensible application programming interfaces (APIs) to enable cloud-based manufacturing execution systems (MES) and industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) integration.
Moreover, the implementation of new artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms with the enterprise software will leverage the collected data and make automated decisions to improve operational efficiencies to manufacturing workflows on Optomec systems.
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Optomec recently introduced an industry-first, fully automated work cell for the additive repair of turbine parts. To maintain its leadership, the company will invest in and add automation to its product line. This year, three new standardised machines with tightly integrated hardware and software will be introduced. These machines look to expand the aerospace blade repair business and further differentiate Optomec from its competitors.
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Optomec’s additively manufactured electronics machines allow manufacturers to produce commonly used items such as medical devices, IoT devices, smartphones, and touchscreen displays, among others. Interest among manufacturers of personal electronics is increasing and the vertical is expected to experience rapid growth. As companies across industries re-imagine processes and products, Optomec hopes to drive solution awareness in existing and new verticals with new go-to-market strategies and campaigns.
Additionally, the vision includes a renewed focus on research and development. Optomec will utilise the existing team of scientists at the company’s development resource centre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, to continue its domain expertise and leadership by partnering with leading universities and pushing the boundaries of innovation to introduce new, industry-first products and capabilities.
“Embracing digital transformation is critical to remain relevant in a hypercompetitive market that is entering a new phase of industrialisation,” said Robert Yusin, CEO of Optomec. “By evolving Optomec’s focus to meet the needs and standards of today’s digitally inclined customers, the company will continue its domain expertise and lead into the future.”
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