Factory Tomorrow: a video series on industrial automation

Components distributor Digi-Key Electronics has launched its ‘Factory Tomorrow’ video series, focused on advancements in industrial automation.

Sponsored by Banner Engineering and Weidmüller, the three-part series showcases the latest innovations in robotics, automation and connectivity, as well as cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. It showcases how edge computing helps factories deploy and run field-based machines without the need for central networking.

“As machines get smarter, manufacturers must continually evolve to meet the increasingly complex environment in which they operate,” said Robbie Paul, Director of IoT Business Solutions at Digi-Key. “Growth and investment in industrial automation and digitised systems are the new normal, and Digi-Key is committed to helping our customers keep pace with today’s ever-changing business landscape.”

Banner Engineering’s Director of Business Development - Industrial Wireless and IIoT, Matt Negaard, added, “The advancement of Industry 4.0 and IIoT is an exciting time for our customers who, every day, deploy our products to transform their operations, increase their profitability and accelerate their ability to connect to valuable data on both new and legacy systems, regardless of their industry.”

Andrew Barco, Weidmüller’s Director of Automation Products & Solutions, stressed the importance of not only making these connections but also of controlling and optimising them. “Edge computing, which brings computation and data storage closer to where it is needed, is perfect for small, standalone applications where our AI/ML can help improve decision-making, add value, increase efficiency and boost production,” he said.

The first of three videos in the series, ‘Manufacturing at the Edge’, is now live on Digi-Key’s website and available in all local languages served. The second video, ‘The Rise of Robotics’, will be released later this month, while ‘The Intersection of AI and IoT’ will be available in September.

For more information on the video series, click here.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/panuwat

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