Sponsored by:
Innovations in
Modern Manufacturing
Optimizing for Change
“If you listen closely, what we’re really talking about is who we are as people, and how we operate in this world of incredible opportunity. Instead of trying to find an optimal state of being, what would it look like if we got our teams to focus on optimizing for being in a state of constant change?”
— Barbara Humpton, President and CEO, Siemens Corporation
Innovators in Manufacturing
Roberta Rincon
Associate Director of Research,
Society of Women Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
“We’ve got to take advantage of this time and push initiatives we believe are going to create the systemic change needed to create the inclusive climate and culture within STEM spaces that are just missing.”
More from RinconOpens in a new window.
Jackie Mattox
Founder, President, and CEO
Women in Electronics
Women in Electronics
“The importance of diversity in our world right now, and especially at that engineering table, with all the new innovations and technology…the more diversity we can bring to the table, the more equitable our world is.”
More from MattoxOpens in a new window.
Monica Moman-Saunders
Professional Engineer and Fellow,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
“As an African-American female mechanical engineer, I have spent my entire professional career working in a male-dominated field. I’ve always worked to improve diversity in this field, promoting STEM education.”
More from SaundersOpens in a new window.Jackie Mattox
Founder, President, and CEO
Women in Electronics
Women in Electronics
“The importance of diversity in our world right now, and especially at that engineering table, with all the new innovations and technology…the more diversity we can bring to the table, the more equitable our world is.”
More from MattoxOpens in a new window.Monica Moman-Saunders
Professional Engineer and Fellow,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
“As an African-American female mechanical engineer, I have spent my entire professional career working in a male-dominated field. I’ve always worked to improve diversity in this field, promoting STEM education.”
More from SaundersOpens in a new window.
Iana Aranda
Senior Dir. of Engineering for Sustainable Development,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Sen. Dir. of Engineering for Sustainable Devt.,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
“We specifically [leverage] the engineering skill set and expertise to direct a diverse global workforce towards how they can participate, how they can contribute [to Sustainable Development Goals envisaged by the U.N.]”
More from ArandaOpens in a new window.Monica Moman-Saunders
Professional Engineer and Fellow,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
“As an African-American female mechanical engineer, I have spent my entire professional career working in a male-dominated field. I’ve always worked to improve diversity in this field, promoting STEM education.”
More from SaundersOpens in a new window.Iana Aranda
Senior Dir. of Engineering for Sustainable Development,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Sen. Dir. of Engineering for Sustainable Devt.,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
“We specifically [leverage] the engineering skill set and expertise to direct a diverse global workforce towards how they can participate, how they can contribute [to Sustainable Development Goals envisaged by the U.N.]”
More from ArandaOpens in a new window.
Jan Hennecke
Low-Cost Automation (LCA) Product Manager,
igus
igus
Jan’s crowning achievement in his short time with igus has been his initiative to get the company to present itself more as a complete robotic system provider rather than just a supplier of robotic components.
More from HenneckeOpens in a new window.Iana Aranda
Senior Dir. of Engineering for Sustainable Development,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Sen. Dir. of Engineering for Sustainable Devt.,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
“We specifically [leverage] the engineering skill set and expertise to direct a diverse global workforce towards how they can participate, how they can contribute [to Sustainable Development Goals envisaged by the U.N.]”
More from ArandaOpens in a new window.Jan Hennecke
Low-Cost Automation (LCA) Product Manager,
igus
igus
Jan’s crowning achievement in his short time with igus has been his initiative to get the company to present itself more as a complete robotic system provider rather than just a supplier of robotic components.
More from HenneckeOpens in a new window.Roberta Rincon
Associate Director of Research,
Society of Women Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
“We’ve got to take advantage of this time and push initiatives we believe are going to create the systemic change needed to create the inclusive climate and culture within STEM spaces that are just missing.”
More from RinconOpens in a new window.Jan Hennecke
Low-Cost Automation (LCA) Product Manager,
igus
igus
Jan’s crowning achievement in his short time with igus has been his initiative to get the company to present itself more as a complete robotic system provider rather than just a supplier of robotic components.
More from HenneckeOpens in a new window.Roberta Rincon
Associate Director of Research,
Society of Women Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
“We’ve got to take advantage of this time and push initiatives we believe are going to create the systemic change needed to create the inclusive climate and culture within STEM spaces that are just missing.”
More from RinconOpens in a new window.Jackie Mattox
Founder, President, and CEO
Women in Electronics
Women in Electronics
“The importance of diversity in our world right now, and especially at that engineering table, with all the new innovations and technology…the more diversity we can bring to the table, the more equitable our world is.”
More from MattoxOpens in a new window.Disruptive Technologies Impacting the Manufacturing Industry
Generative AI + Data AI = Intelligent Factory
Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI: Mainstream curiosity with artificial intelligence and generative AI have been unyielding since the launch of ChatGPT on November 30, 2022. The capabilities of these technologies hold significant potential for transforming industries. AI-driven intelligent assistant platforms are similarly working their way into the smart factory.
More on Industrial ThinkingOpens in a new window.“Trusted data in context is the foundation of the future; it is the foundation of industrial AI,” said Caspar Herzberg, CEO, AVEVA.
“Our view of the world over the next five to 10 to 15 years is as follows: We believe that industrial manufacturing and critical infrastructure is going to continue to grow through fairly dramatic transformation, ushered in by huge market forces and market dynamics, geopolitical uncertainties, supply chains, energy transition, sustainability, as well as the vortex of interesting new technologies such as cloud computing, edge, AI (generative AI for example),” said Rob McGreevy, chief product officer, AVEVA.
Additive Manufacturing Innovations for 3D Printing
Software, Engineering Platforms: Cutting-edge software solutions allow users to create complex designs, optimize support structure generation and simulate the printing process to identify potential issues before they arise. These platforms facilitate communication between designers and machines and have resulted in customization, quicker prototyping and cost-effective manufacturing.
Advancements in multi-materials for 3D printing have allowed manufacturers to create products with improved properties and functionalities.
Metafold’s Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) cloud-based software enables the design and optimization of complex geometries for 3D printing.
Advanced, Multi-materials: A significant innovation in additive manufacturing lies in the expansion and diversification of the materials used in the 3D printing process. Beyond traditional plastics and metals, recent advancements have allowed manufacturers to create products with improved properties and functionalities.
Industry Trends Changing the Manufacturing Space
What is Driving Attrition in Engineering?
Stats from a survey of engineers conducted by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) revealed the following insights from 821 engineers and engineering graduates:
Demographics
Opinions
Affordability
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Demographics
“You can see that there’s a demographic shift in industry and it’s happening in the engineering community as well,” said Stephanie Holko, director of project development at NGen Canada.
Roughly half of the survey respondents were over the age of 50 and only a quarter were under the age of 35. Seventy-eight percent were men and they were mostly educated in Canada, and 29% of employed engineers and engineering graduates were between 50 and 64.
Source: Ontario’s Engineering Community in Transition — Benchmarking Report 2022
1%
of employed engineers and engineering graduates were between 50 and 64, suggesting an imminent wave of retirement.
1%
of respondents were not employed as engineers. Some worked in related fields, while others had left the profession altogether.
1%
of respondents were unsure about, or disagreed, that the field is in touch with the needs of new engineering graduates.
1%
of female respondents were currently employed in a related field, but not licensed as engineers.
Demographics
Opinions
Affordability
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Opinions
One-third of all engineers and engineering graduates, predominantly from [gender diverse, younger and internationally trained engineering graduates] groups, reported that the profession might be falling out of step with modern society.
Demographics
Opinions
Affordability
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Affordability
Fewer than half of engineers and engineering graduates believed that the schooling was affordable, that gender representation and other metrics of EDIA in the profession are sufficient and that wage standards are equitably applied.
Demographics
Opinions
Affordability
Learn More
Learn More
Dive into the survey results and analysis from OSPE as to what is driving attrition in engineering and answers the question of applicable skills.
Review SurveyOpens in a new window.How Can Manufacturers Retain Their Workforces & Fuel Innovation?
There are struggles to fill and retain manufacturing positions today, and the longevity of most people in engineering needs to improve. From the skills gap to the changing perception of manufacturing to an aging workforce to global competition and outsourcing—the manufacturing sector will require effort from its stakeholders to address the challenges associated with employee longevity.
Motivated and empowered employees can lead to continuity and stability, reducing high turnover that disrupts workflow, increases training costs and creates an overall negative work environment. Long-term experienced employees, on the other hand, can provide mentorship and guidance, contributing to overall team cohesion, performance and higher retention stats.
Learn more about how one manufacturer has overcome workforce challenges while encouraging innovation here.
Additional Resources
Incorporating High Power Relays into Solar Power Applications
Discover details on how these components are used, how collected direct current energy is converted into AC current for household use, where the relays need to be incorporated into the design, and what special requirements are needed.
Download ResourceOpens in a new window.Compact and Durable DC Disconnect Switches
Learn about the challenges concerning the design, manufacturing, and delivery of DC disconnect switches, as well as the key benefits and specific solutions for DIN-rail mounted, integrated door mounting, and side panel mounting versions.
Download White PaperOpens in a new window.The Value of Dual Rated AC/DC Disconnect Switches
Disconnect switches are to be used in industrial and manufacturing facilities according to the National Electric Code. Using a dual rated disconnect switch will not change their present configuration or control panel space.
Read FAQOpens in a new window.Compact and Durable DC Disconnect Switches
Learn about the challenges concerning the design, manufacturing, and delivery of DC disconnect switches, as well as the key benefits and specific solutions for DIN-rail mounted, integrated door mounting, and side panel mounting versions.
Download White PaperOpens in a new window.The Value of Dual Rated AC/DC Disconnect Switches
Disconnect switches are to be used in industrial and manufacturing facilities according to the National Electric Code. Using a dual rated disconnect switch will not change their present configuration or control panel space.
Read FAQOpens in a new window.Incorporate Push-In Terminals in Your Next DIN Rail Application
DIN-Rail terminal blocks are used throughout multiple industries. Both electrical and electronic devices are easily integrated using multi-use terminal blocks for a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, medical, automotive, and more.
View ContentOpens in a new window.The Value of Dual Rated AC/DC Disconnect Switches
Disconnect switches are to be used in industrial and manufacturing facilities according to the National Electric Code. Using a dual rated disconnect switch will not change their present configuration or control panel space.
Read FAQOpens in a new window.Incorporate Push-In Terminals in Your Next DIN Rail Application
DIN-Rail terminal blocks are used throughout multiple industries. Both electrical and electronic devices are easily integrated using multi-use terminal blocks for a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, medical, automotive, and more.
View ContentOpens in a new window.Incorporating High Power Relays into Solar Power Applications
Discover details on how these components are used, how collected direct current energy is converted into AC current for household use, where the relays need to be incorporated into the design, and what special requirements are needed.
Download ResourceOpens in a new window.Incorporate Push-In Terminals in Your Next DIN Rail Application
DIN-Rail terminal blocks are used throughout multiple industries. Both electrical and electronic devices are easily integrated using multi-use terminal blocks for a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, medical, automotive, and more.
View ContentOpens in a new window.Incorporating High Power Relays into Solar Power Applications
Discover details on how these components are used, how collected direct current energy is converted into AC current for household use, where the relays need to be incorporated into the design, and what special requirements are needed.
Download ResourceOpens in a new window.Compact and Durable DC Disconnect Switches
Learn about the challenges concerning the design, manufacturing, and delivery of DC disconnect switches, as well as the key benefits and specific solutions for DIN-rail mounted, integrated door mounting, and side panel mounting versions.
Download White PaperOpens in a new window.