December 02, 2024 by SME Communications We had the opportunity to ask Xun Xu, PhD, FASME, a distinguished professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, a series of questions about his expertise and vision for manufacturing. With over 30 years of experience in manufacturing solutions, Dr. Xu is a leading figure in the field of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies. As the founder of the Laboratory for Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing Systems—the first and only Industry 4.0 lab in New Zealand—and the chair of the NAMRI Scientific Committee, he brings a wealth of knowledge and insight. In this Q&A, Dr. Xu shares his journey into manufacturing, his current roles and research interests, his vision for the future of the industry, and what to expect from NAMRC 53. How did you get into manufacturing? I must confess, I was an electronics fanatic as a kid. Back then, transistor radios were rare and prohibitively expensive. I spent all my savings on electronic components like transistors, resistors, and capacitors. Eventually, I built a transistor radio for my family. Clearly, I enjoyed making things, which naturally led me to manufacturing. My passion for electronics later steered me toward computer and software programming. As a result, my career has centered on computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines, smart cyber-physical manufacturing systems, and AI-empowered manufacturing. Looking back, I realize I haven’t strayed far from my original “hobby.” Can you please describe your current position within your organization? I am a professor of manufacturing in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Auckland. I have been working in the field of manufacturing solutions for over 30 years. I established the Laboratory for Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing Systems (LISMS), the first and only Industry 4.0 laboratory in New Zealand. My current research focuses on Industry 4.0 technologies such as smart factories, digital twins, cloud manufacturing, AI-empowered manufacturing, big industrial data, and data analytics. I also serve as the chair of the NAMRI Scientific Committee. Additionally, I am a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Engineering New Zealand (EngNZ). What is your vision for the future of manufacturing? I envision three key trends shaping the future of manufacturing, all converging to ensure the industry remains a vital contributor to the global economy, jobs, and communities. First, manufacturing will continue to evolve with the rapid advancement of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and high-performance computing. These innovations will make manufacturing smarter, more agile, and more adaptive, addressing the growing customer demand for personalization and customization. Second, manufacturing will increasingly shift from being a commodity producer to a service provider. This transition involves offering product-service systems that integrate sensors and connectivity, transforming “dumb” products into “smart” platforms. These platforms will expand into the realm of services, meaning manufacturers will not just produce goods but also deliver the services customers need. Lastly, manufacturing must prioritize environmental stewardship and ethical corporate values. Corporate sustainability measures, driven by various factors, will push businesses to invest in smart technologies to achieve robust sustainability goals. Practices such as remanufacturing and carbon-neutral manufacturing will become not just trendy terms but standard industry practices. What do you want people to know about NAMRC 53? NAMRC 53 is SME’s annual flagship conference and the premier international platform for advanced manufacturing research. It serves as a hub for sharing the latest advancements in manufacturing systems and processes, materials removal, additive manufacturing, smart manufacturing, industrial case studies, manufacturing-related education, and sustainable manufacturing. NAMRC 53 will continue to feature the annual NSF Manufacturing Blue Sky Competition, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It will also host the Student Research Presentations (SRP) Competition, showcasing nine student-led papers selected by the Scientific Committee. New this year, NAMRC 53 will emphasize manufacturing education and workforce development. We invite you to join us in celebrating manufacturing research and sharing insights on manufacturing education.
