Manufacturing logistics and procurement – March 2023

Supply chain developments
DHL has published the 2022 DHL Global Connectedness Index (31.1 MB). The report rebuts the notion that a major retreat from globalisation is underway and underscores the potential of a more connected world. Most types of international flows are likely to continue growing in 2023, albeit at a slower pace. This is due mainly to weaker global economic growth, following large interest rate increases aimed at curbing inflation.
The University of Exeter has published an article about a report by the Connected Everything network that they co-authored. The report (4.9 MB) seeks to future-proof the UK’s manufacturing sector with five key recommendations on how best to adapt to and make the most of digital technologies. The 5 recommendations are; use digital technology to connect developers to manufacturers, reduce digital manufacturing knowledge barriers, consolidate digital manufacturing guidance, support employee wellbeing during transition and facilitate the transparency of value chain data.
A University of Miskolc study (5.81 MB) entitled ‘Operational concept of an innovative management framework for choosing the optimal packaging system for supply chains’, is published in Sustainability.

Food processing optimisation
A Universidad Simón Bolívar study (1.1 MB) entitled ‘Bicriteria food packaging process optimization in double-layered upright and diagonal multihead weighers’, is published in the Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics.

Recognition solutions for use in industrial manufacturing
A University of Alicante study (5.18 MB) entitled ‘MOSPPA: monitoring system for palletised packaging recognition and tracking’ is published in The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology.
Fraunhofer researchers have developed a speech recognition solution for use in industrial manufacturing. The system works reliably even in noisy environments and can be flexibly adapted to the user’s needs. Employees can use intuitive voice commands on the factory floor, allowing them to keep both hands free and work much more efficiently.
ASTM committee F45 is developing a standard (WK83863) with a test method for evaluating the grasp strength of robot end-effectors. The test method will apply to two major grasp types: pinch and wrap.

AI, machine learning and blockchain technology in manufacturing
Microsoft has released a technical paper (2.31 MB) describing some design principles that can be used to guide language models in solving robotics tasks.
The International Federation of Robotics has analysed the top 5 trends shaping robotics and automation in 2023. These include: energy efficiency, reshoring, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital automation and the second life for industrial robots.
A Gdansk University of Technology study (1.33 MB) entitled ‘Machine learning approach to packaging compatibility testing in the new product development process’, is published in the Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing.
CEN-CENELEC reports that the association Small Business Standards (SBS) has published a guide (5.82 MB) on blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to raise SMEs’ awareness and assist them in mastering the use of the technology.
 

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