This week at Smart Metals Podcast, we, the hosts Denis Gontcharov and Luke van Enkhuizen, had a fascinating conversation about the future of factory connectivity with Russ Waddell, an expert in industrial connectivity.

We explored the challenges of integrating manufacturing systems, the importance of cultural and technological shifts, and how to leverage AI and data science to unlock the full potential of manufacturing processes.

We delved deeper into topics like the evolution of industrial connectivity, unified namespaces, and strategies for starting your digital transformation journey. If your current challenge is connecting your manufacturing systems, scaling digital projects, or understanding how to use your data effectively, then listen to this episode when you have a moment.

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Topics
[00:00] 🎙️ Welcome to the Smart Metals Podcast
[00:40] 🔍 Russ Waddell: Journey into Industrial Connectivity
[08:20] 🌐 Defining Factory Connectivity
[17:44] 🚧 Challenges and Opportunities in Factory Connectivity
[27:52] 🏭 Evolution of Machining and Paperless Operations
[29:18] 💡 Technological Advancements and Their Impact
[32:13] 🛠️ The Role of Software in Modern Manufacturing
[36:21] 🔮 Future Trends and Cultural Shifts in Manufacturing

Interesting Quotes
• “If you could just see the data in all of your industrial controllers… Imagine what you could do with that. Everything else we talk about comes back to your favorite use case for that data.” – Russ Waddell
• “When we talk about factory connectivity, everyone has a different definition. A machine maker, a software seller, or someone on the factory floor will all see it differently. That’s why it’s so important to have conversations like this to get a clearer picture.” – Luke van Enkhuizen
• “AI has created a major use case for having all the data in one place. That’s why connectivity is more relevant than ever.” – Denis Gontcharov
• “AI is clearly the next step after basic monitoring and predictive analytics. But it needs clean, accessible inputs. The cleaner the data, the more time your team can spend on building algorithms instead of copying and pasting from CSV files.” – Russ Waddell
• “When you step into some manufacturing facilities, it feels like you’re back in the 80s or 90s. That’s not just a technology problem—it’s a cultural one. Companies need to learn what’s possible and build small-scale successes to see the potential.” – Luke van Enkhuizen

This week at Smart Metals Podcast, we, the hosts Denis Gontcharov and Luke van Enkhuizen, had a conversation about implementing Unified Namespace (UNS) in manufacturing environments with Brian Pribe, founder and president of MACH Controls LLC. We explored how to make advanced manufacturing technology accessible to businesses of all sizes.

We delved deeper into practical implementation of UNS, the combination of MQTT and Kafka, and making these solutions affordable for smaller manufacturers. If your current challenge is connecting your manufacturing equipment or implementing a unified namespace solution, then listen to this episode when you have a moment.

Topics

• [00:00] Introduction to the Smart Metals Podcast
• [00:32] 📊 Brian Pribe's Journey in Manufacturing and MACH Controls LLC
• [01:59] 🚀 Understanding and Implementing Unified Namespace
• [04:45] 🌐 Technical Deep Dive: MQTT and Kafka Integration
• [11:14] 📋 European Data Act and Its Impact on Manufacturing
• [16:13] 💡 Making Technology Accessible for Small Manufacturers
• [23:03] 📈 Unlocking Business Insights with Unified Namespace
• [24:52] 🏭 First Steps: From Strategy to Proof of Concept
• [28:35] 🔄 Integrating IT and OT Systems
• [31:32] 🔮 Future of Manufacturing and Generational Transition

Interesting Quotes

• "The Unified Namespace isn't just about connecting devices - it's about contextualizing data in a way that makes sense for your business." – Brian Pribe
• "For non-critical applications, open source all the way. Start with FOSS solutions. It's not going to cost you anything, and it's going to push you in the right direction." – Brian Pribe
• "You can only improve what you measure. And if you're not measuring anything, you're not going to improve at all." – Brian Pribe
• "I think the biggest challenge is not per se that the machines don't have the connectivities. It's the fact that most users of the machines are not even remotely aware how many sensors and computer systems are actually in their plant." – Luke van Enkhuizen
• "The licensing costs for connecting machines through OPC UA can be substantial - manufacturers end up spending significant amounts yearly just to get data." – Denis Gontcharov
• "Something has to give - your profit margins are really not that outstanding. Why not just get the data and measure what you want to improve? Otherwise you won't." – Denis Gontcharov

Resources:

• 🔗 Follow the show: Smart Metals Podcast
• 🔗 About Denis Gontcharov: gontcharov.eu
• 🔗 About Luke van Enkhuizen: Sheet Metal Connect
• 🔗 About Brian Pribe: LinkedIn Profile
• 🔗 MACH Controls LLC: machcontrols.com
• 🔗 Email Brian: bpribe@machcontrols.com
• 🔗 Join the Community: Find Brian on United Manufacturing Hub's discord or 4.0 Solutions discord

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If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with some friends or colleagues who might find it useful. Thank you! 😊

Would you like to help?
Did this show help you with new ideas for your business? Then rate the show on iTunes or Spotify. This helps people like you find the show and us to be able to book more guests with industry specialists and top solution providers. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In this episode of the Smart Metals Podcast, hosts Denis Gontcharov and Luke van Enkhuizen welcome Todd Abraham from InnoVaas. They dive into digital transformation within the metals industry, focusing on the Unified Namespace’s growing influence in Asia and Europe. The discussion covers enabling technologies like Apache Kafka and MQTT, cultural differences in technology adoption, and how agile approaches help smaller companies innovate. The episode concludes with advice on navigating digital transformation and the importance of structured data for machine learning.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Smart Metals Podcast
00:49 Meet Todd Abraham from InnoVaas
02:39 Unified Namespace in Asia vs. Europe
05:08 Cultural Dynamics in Technology Adoption
06:39 The Role of Innovation in Global Markets
11:50 Digital Transformation Strategies
41:53 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

Notable Quotes:

"Building the Unified Namespace is about doing the work upfront to contextualize and normalize your data, so it’s ready when you need it for machine learning." — Todd Abraham
"You can’t just hand a data engineer a pile of disorganized data and expect results. Structuring your data from the beginning makes everything, including machine learning, much more effective." — Luke van Enkhuizen
"Don’t boil the ocean. Break digital transformation into small, actionable steps, creating value incrementally." — Todd Abraham
"We act as Sherpas, guiding companies through digital transformation, but they still have to walk the path themselves." — Denis Gontcharov
"The agile, smaller organizations are the ones that will thrive in the future, as larger corporations struggle to adapt." — Todd Abraham

Key Takeaways:

• Start small: Focus on solving a key problem incrementally for faster success.
• Use open-source tech: Platforms like Apache Kafka and MQTT are crucial for real-time data integration.
• Real-time visibility: Structured data upfront simplifies the digital transformation process and accelerates machine learning.

Relevant Links:

• 🔗 Follow the show
• 🔗 About Todd Abraham
• 🔗 About Denis Gontcharov
• 🔗 About Luke van Enkhuizen
• 🔗 InnoVaas

Sharing is Caring!

If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with some friends or colleagues who might find it useful. Thank you! 😊

Would You Like to Help?

Did this show help you with new ideas for your business? Then rate the show on iTunes or Spotify. This helps people like you find the show and helps us book more guests with industry specialists and top solution providers. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐