Best of LinkedIn: Smart Manufacturing CW 25/ 26

In the last two weeks Smart Manufacturing moved from concept to concrete. AI-enabled quality control, cloud-edge convergence and new automation hardware dominated the news, while strategic alliances accelerated digital-twin adoption and sustainability gains. The roundup below distils the key moves by segment for fast executive scan.

Date

June 18, 2025

Smart Manufacturing

Thomas Allgeyer

Methodology: Every two weeks we collect most relevant posts on LinkedIn for selected topics and create an overall summary only based on these posts. If you´re interested in the single posts behind, you can find them here: https://linktr.ee/thomasallgeyer. Have a great read!

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AI & Analytics

AI platforms for inline quality assurance and predictive maintenance shift from pilots to full-scale deployment, led by the launch of GENESIS Version 11 with a performance-driven, scalable architecture
Automotive leaders spotlight persistent ROI gaps, underscoring the need for tighter business alignment around data and machine-learning roll-outs

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Industrial IoT & Connectivity

PLCs evolve into open, computer-like controllers equipped with edge intelligence, signalling deeper IT/OT convergence
Secure, high-quality data pipelines emerge as the critical enabler for real-time, plant-wide optimisation

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Robotics & Automation

Hexagon debuts its Autonomous Metrology Suite to automate inspection workflows and mitigate workforce constraints
Starrag’s new Heckert X70 five-axis machine combines high-performance milling with integrated automation for compact, lights-out cells

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Digital Twin & Simulation

Reality-capture and AI-enhanced digital-twin platforms deliver dynamic, scenario-based plant simulations for faster decision cycles
Microsoft and NVIDIA broaden their industrial-AI collaboration, accelerating cloud-native twin creation and compute-intensive modelling

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Manufacturing Software & MES

Cloud-first MES suites gain traction as manufacturers prioritise clean, contextualised data foundations for end-to-end digital transformation

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Cybersecurity

Rising connectivity heightens factory attack surfaces; discussions focus on silicon-level protections and zero-trust frameworks to secure IIoT assets without disrupting uptime

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Sustainability & Energy

Smart-factory leaders link AI-driven efficiency gains directly to energy and carbon-reduction targets, positioning digitalisation as a sustainability lever

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Additive Manufacturing

Affordable desktop UV printers push additive techniques onto more shop floors, democratising small-batch production
Frost & Sullivan recognises Dassault Systèmes for transformational innovation, validating continued momentum in industrial 3-D printing

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Workforce & Skills

Industry 5.0 themes surface, pairing human-centric design with AI augmentation to boost resilience and productivity
New educational initiatives aim to close skills gaps and rebrand manufacturing as a high-tech, purpose-driven career path

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