A $10 million grant has recently been awarded to help each county’s manufacturing base purchase and implement Industry 4.0 technologies in the USA. Created by Automation Alley and funded by Oakland and Macomb counties, the initiative is named DIAMOnD which stands for Digital, Independent, Agile, Manufacturing on Demand and targets Michigan manufacturers that aim to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen supply chains.
3YOURMIND has just joined the project alongside Microsoft, Markforged, Autodesk and Giggso. With 3YOURMIND on board, project DIAMOnD brings together the capabilities of 3D printing, automation, IoT, and software tools that can enhance distributed manufacturing and further promote the endless possibilities of Industry 4.0.
As a reminder, the company’s Agile ERP and Agile MES solutions are custom built software tools that aggregate CAD data and identify additive manufacturing-ready parts for production.
This tool is seamlessly integrated with a wide variety of 3D printing technologies and materials that enables end-users to coordinate production across multiple facilities. In this particular case, there are 300 Markforged 3D printing machines networked to the DIAMOnD project across the state of Michigan.
On demand production through distributed manufacturing may become the most economical way to simultaneously improve customer satisfaction and develop a more sustainable model to do so. By removing the logistical costs of shipping, transportation and unnecessary packaging, Project DIAMOnD is providing a blueprint for economical and environmental sustainability.
“In order to accelerate the digital transformation of manufacturing, we must rely on machine learning and technology connectivity,” says Alexandre Donnadieu at 3YOURMIND. “Blockchain technology supports the digital 3D printing network and our software paves the path for data transparency. We believe that supply chain resiliency is possible with Automation Alley.”
The power of cloud-connected blockchain becomes a strategic tool to connect individual 3D printers to a wider network. This flexibility provides disparate manufacturers with the unique ability to collaborate and keep equipment operational 24/7. Not only does this provide new revenue streams for manufacturers, but it also keeps production possible when disruptions occur in the future.
Born out of necessity when an international pandemic struck the planet, Automation Alley saw an opportunity to rebuild the future of manufacturing. What began as a network of PPE production partnerships has evolved into a strategic alliance dedicated to eliminating supply chain risks and improving marketplace transparency.
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