Mark Norris, Vice President Asia, Nordson Advanced Technology

Our Future Depends on Advanced Machines AND Human Ingenuity

Data science and sustainability are two of the most important issues manufacturers must now master to be successful going forwards.

Accurate and detailed data has always been needed to drive manufacturing and management decisions. Historically, humans have interpreted the data but infusion of AI is now automating those skills, extracting more precise insights based on evidence from vast and diverse data sets. These AI-based tools will come to determine business performance and profitability.

Part of our response to this has been to collaborate with leading data-science software experts to develop our machine embedded software and higher-level software tools to ensure analysing production data is as easy and natural and possible.

We must all strive to enhance sustainability, and in manufacturing that means reducing the amount of waste generated as well as minimising consumption of energy and other resources. It’s good that industry awards schemes are introducing criteria that recognise improvements in efficiency and sustainability.

Yamaha was proud to receive this year’s Global Technology Award for printing equipment, which recognised innovations including those that save consumption of cleaning solvents and paper. We, in the engineering community, need to apply our skills at every opportunity, to win this battle for our survival.