Marissa Robert graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English language and literature. She has extensive experience writing marketing campaigns and business handbooks and manuals, as well as doing freelance writing, proofreading and editing. While living in France she translated manuscripts into English. She has published articles on various websites and also periodically maintains two blogs.

HP Inc. has developed new automation solutions and expanded its materials, software and services to help customers scale 3D-printed parts production.

The company has worked to simplify automating production workflows. As customers scale, additive manufacturing (AM) workflows become more complex. To help simplify these increasingly complex workflows, Improve productivity and quality, as well as reduce costs, HP offers two new automation solutions for Multi Jet Fusion customers — HP Jet Fusion 3D Powder Handling Automation Solution and HP Jet Fusion 3D Automation Accessory.

• The HP Jet Fusion 3D Powder Handling Automation Solution is a pneumatically connected, closed-loop material processing system to minimize labor; provide cleaner, more efficient material flow; and enable quality control and operational traceability.
• The HP Jet Fusion 3D Automation Accessory is designed for customers with high-volume production demands, providing automatic build unit exchange for two consecutive prints without requiring manual support. In addition to minimizing idle time between print jobs and reducing requirements for manual labor on nights or weekends, the accessory is automation-ready for further integration into factory configurations with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

HP also offers expanded materials, software and services. Along with its industrial 3D printing hardware, HP is developing or partnering on innovative materials, software, services and postprocessing solutions. To enable a broad range of applications across industries, HP says it continues to work closely on materials development with partners, including Arkema, BASF, Evonik and Lubrizol. This includes general availability of the new Estane 3D M88A TPU, a flexible and highly durable material that enables complex geometries and lattice structures.

Talking about the audio performance, the HP Dragonfly G4 comes equipped with four Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers. The laptop houses two top-firing speakers and two bottom-firing speakers. And the laptop does offer a powerful music experience which makes it better than the rival laptop available in the market. The volume levels were pretty good and you can clearly hear the vocals and also enjoy the bass. Also, the audio experience was quite good when we watched movies and videos on the laptop. This one from HP does offer an impressive sound experience.

The HP Dragonfly G4 runs Windows 11 Pro operating system for businesses and it also comes with various HP apps. You can find HP apps like HP Easy Clean which enables you to temporarily disable the keyboard so that you can clean it easily. Then there's also the HP Power Manager app which keeps you updated about the battery status, temperature and storage capacity available on the laptop. You will also find the HP Support Systems app on the laptop which will help you in running system diagnostics and provides guided troubleshooting solutions. Along with this, it also has all the standard Microsoft apps and the famous Solitaire Collection.

The 5MP webcam on the HP Dragonfly G4 also works fine and we did not notice any problem with it during video calls and virtual meetings. The laptop also comes with multi-camera support which allows users to use one camera to focus on a product or whiteboard while keeping the other on their face. The premium laptop also has an Auto camera select functionality which uses face tracking to automatically switch between two cameras based on which camera the user is facing. The webcam software on the HP Dragonfly G4 also offers an Adjustable Background Blur feature. The feature lets users customise their image, blur on a sliding scale, or replace the background with an image.

As a member of the In-plant Impressions and Printing Impressions community, we thought this information might be of interest to you. We are powering this webinar, however, the content within was developed solely by the sponsoring company.

Printing vibrant color at high speeds on a variety of media, HP’s PageWide Web Press portfolio continues to bring profit and success to many commercial printing businesses. In this webinar, you will learn about HP’s complete end-to-end solutions that drive customer success with the PageWide Web Press portfolio.

You’ll hear how HP vertical integration creates a harmony among press components so they work together to produce brilliant prints, quickly and reliably. Plus, you’ll get a live demonstration of HP Site Flow, an end-to-end workflow and automation solution that addresses the entire document lifecycle, from ordering to shipping, enabling faster throughput, on-time delivery, and a better customer experience.

The webinar will include:

• An update on HP’s integrated platform and the benefits it provides
• A demonstration of HP Site Flow workflow and automation
• A discussion of HP’s full-service portfolio, which offers remote service support, maintenance training, professional services and more.

Questions? Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (215) 238-5300.

Because of climate change, we are experiencing far more natural disasters than ever before in my lifetime. Yet we still seem to be acting as if each disaster is a unique and surprising event rather than recognizing the trend and creating adequate ways to mitigate or prevent disasters like we just saw in Hawaii.

From how we approach a disaster to the tools we could use but are not using to prevent or reduce the impact, we could better assure ourselves that the massive damage incurred won’t happen again. Still, we continually fail to apply what we know to the problem.

How can we Improve our approach to dealing with disasters like the accurate Maui fire? Let’s explore some potential solutions this week. Then we’ll close with my Product of the Week, a new all-in-one desktop PC from HP that could be perfect for anyone who wants an easy-to-set-up-and-use desktop computing solution.

Blame vs. Analysis

The response to a disaster recovery should follow a process where you first rescue and save the living and then analyze what happened. From that, you develop and implement a plan to make sure it never happens again. As a result of that last phase, you remove people from jobs they have proven unable to do, but not necessarily those that were in key positions when the disaster happened.

Instead, we tend to jump to blame almost immediately, which makes the analysis of the cause of a disaster very difficult because people don’t like to be blamed for things, especially when they couldn’t have done anything differently.

Generative AI could help a great deal by driving a process that focuses on the aspects of mitigating the problem that would have the most significant impact on saving lives both initially and long-term rather than focusing on holding people accountable.

Other than restrictions this puts on analyzing the problem, focusing on blame often stops the process once people are indicted or fired as if the job is done. But we still must address the endemic causes of the issue. Someone who has been through this before is probably better able to prioritize action should the problem arise again. So, firing the person in charge with this experience could be counterproductive.

Generative AI, acting as a dynamic policy — one that could morph to address a wide range of disaster variants best — could provide directions as to where to focus first, help analyze the findings, and, if properly trained, recommend both an unbiased path of action and a process to assure the same thing didn’t happen again.

Metaverse Simulation

One of the problems with disasters is that those working to mitigate them tend to be under-resourced. When disaster mitigation teams devise a plan, they often face rejection due to the government’s unwillingness to pay for the implementation costs.

Had the power company in Hawaii been told that if they didn’t bury the power lines or at least power them down, they’d go out of business, one of those two things would have happened. But they didn’t because they didn’t do risk/reward analysis well.

All of this is easy for me to say in hindsight. Still, with tools like Nvidia’s Omniverse, you can create highly accurate and predictive simulations which can visibly show, as if you were in the event, what would happen in a disaster if something was or were not done.

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Is Hawaii likely to have a high-wind event? Yes, because it’s in a hurricane path and has a history of high wind events. So, it would make sense to run simulations on wind, water, and tsunami events to determine likely ways to prevent extreme damage.

The answer could be something as simple as powering down the grid during a wind event or moving the electrical wiring underground if powering down the grid was too disruptive.

In addition, you can model evacuation routes. We know that if too many people are on the road at once, you get gridlock, making it difficult for anyone to escape. You must phase the evacuation to get the most people out of an area and prioritize getting out those closest to the event’s epicenter first.

But as is often the case, those farthest from the event have the least traffic, and those closest are likely unable to escape, which is clearly a broken process.

Through simulation and AI-driven communications, you should be able to phase an evacuation more effectively and ensure the maximum number of people are made safe.

Communications

Another significant issue when managing disasters is communications.

While Cisco typically rolls trucks into disaster areas to restore communications as part of the company’s sustainability efforts, it can take days to weeks to get the trucks to a disaster, making it critical that the government has an emergency communication platform that will operate if cell towers are down or have hardened the cell towers, so they don’t go down.

Interestingly, during 9/11, all communication was disrupted in New York City because there was a massive communications hub under the towers that failed when they collapsed. What saved the day was BlackBerry’s two-way pager network that remained up and working. In our collective brilliance, instead of institutionalizing the network that stayed up, we discontinued it and now don’t have a network that will survive the disasters we see worldwide.

It’s worth noting that BlackBerry’s AtHoc solution for critical event management would have been a huge help in the response to this latest disaster on Maui.

Again, simulation can showcase the benefits of such a network and re-establishing a more robust communications network that will survive an emergency since most people no longer have AM radios, which used to be a reliable way to get information in a disaster.

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Finally, autonomous cars will eventually form a mesh network that could potentially survive a disaster. Using centralized control, they could be automatically routed out of danger areas using the fastest and safest routes determined by an AI.

Rebuilding

We usually rebuild after a disaster, but we tend to build the same types of structures that failed us before, which makes no sense. The exception was after the great San Francisco earthquake in 1906, which was the impetus for regulations to Improve structures to withstand strong quakes.

In a fire area, we should rebuild houses with materials that could survive a firestorm. You can build fire-resistant homes using metal, insulation, water sprinklers, and a water source like a pool or large water tank. It would also be wise to use something like European Rolling Shutters to protect windows so that you could better shelter in place rather than having to evacuate and maybe getting caught on the road by the fire.

With insurance companies now abandoning areas that are likely to be at high risk, this building method will do a better job of assuring people don’t lose most or all of their belongings, family, or pets.

Again, simulation can showcase how well a particular house design could survive a disaster. In terms of rebuilding on Maui, 3D-printed houses go up in a fraction of the time and are, depending on the material used, more resistant to fire and other natural disasters.

Heavy Lift

One of the issues with floods and fires is the need to move large volumes of water quickly. While the scale of the vehicle needed to deal with floods may be unachievable near-term, carrying enough water to douse a fire quickly that was still relatively small is not.

We’ve been talking about bringing back blimps and dirigibles to move large objects for some time. Why not use them to carry water to fires rapidly? We could use AI technology to automate them so that if the aircraft has an accident, it doesn’t kill the crew. AI can, with the proper sensor suite, see through smoke and navigate more safely in tight areas, and it can act more rapidly than a human crew.

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Much like we went to extreme measures to develop the atomic bomb to end a war, we are at war with our environment yet haven’t been able to work up the same level of effort to create weapons to fight the growing number of natural disasters.

We could, for instance, create unique bombers to drop self-deploying lightning rods in areas that are hard to reach to reduce the number of fires started by lightning strikes. The estimate I’ve seen suggests you’d need 400 lightning rods per square mile to do this, but you could initially just focus on areas that are difficult to reach.

You could use robotic equipment and drones to place the lightning rods on trees or drop them from bombers to reduce the roughly $100-per-rod purchase and installation cost at volume.

Wrapping Up: The Real Problem

The real problem is that we aren’t taking these disasters seriously enough to prevent them. We seem to treat each disaster as a unique and non-recurring event even though in areas like where I live, they are almost monthly now.

Once a disaster occurs, we have the option of either moving to a safer location or rebuilding using technology that will prevent our home from being destroyed. Currently, most of us do neither and then complain about how unfair it is that we’ve had to experience that disaster again.

Given how iffy insurance companies are becoming about these disasters, I’m also beginning to think that spending more money on hardening and less on insurance might result in a better outcome.

While AI could contribute here, developers haven’t yet trained it on questions like this. Maybe it should be. That way, we could ask our AI what the best path forward would be, and its answer wouldn’t rely on the vendors to which it’s tied, political talking points, or other biased sources. Instead, it would base its response on what would protect us, our loved ones, and our assets. Wouldn’t that be nice?

HP EliteOne 870 G9 27-inch All-in-One PC

My two favorite all-in-one computers were the second-generation iMac, which looked like the old Pixar lamp, and the second-generation IBM NetVista.

I liked the Apple because it was incredibly flexible in terms of where you could move the screen, and the IBM because, unlike most all-in-ones, you could upgrade it. Sadly, both were effectively out of the market by the early 2000s.

Since then, the market has gravitated mainly toward the current generation iMac, where you have the intelligence behind the screen, creating a high center of gravity and a lower build cost. In my opinion, this design creates a significant tip-over risk if the base is too light — as it is in the current iMac.

The HP EliteOne 870 G9 has a wide, heavy base which should prevent it from toppling if bumped, Bang and Olufsen sound (which filled up my test room nicely), a 12th Gen Intel processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB of memory, and an awesome 27-inch panel.

Unlike earlier designs, it has a decent built-in camera that doesn’t hide behind the monitor. In practice, I think this is a better solution because it’s less likely to break.

The HP EliteOne 870 G9 27-inch All-in-One PC is a versatile desktop solution. (Image Credit: HP)

As with most all-in-ones, the 870 G9 uses integrated Intel graphics, so it isn’t a gaming machine. Still, it’s suitable for those who might do light gaming and mostly productivity work, web browsing, and videos. The game I play most often ran fine on it, but it is an older title.

The screen is a very nice 250 nit (good for indoors only), FHD, and IPS display. Also, as with most desktop PCs, the mouse and keyboard are cheap, but most of us use aftermarket mice and keyboards anyway, so that shouldn’t be a problem. The base configuration costs around $1,140, which is reasonable for a 27-inch all-in-one.

A fingerprint reader is optional, but I found Microsoft Hello worked just fine with the camera, and I like it better. The installation consists of two screws to secure the monitor arm to the base, and then the monitor/PC just snaps onto the arm. This all-in-one is a vPro machine which means it will comply with most corporate policies. At 24 pounds, it is easy to move from room to room, but no one will mistake this for a truly mobile computer.

The PC has a decent port-out with 2 USB type Cs, 5 USB type As, and a unique HDMI-in port in case you want to connect a set-top box, game system, or other video source and use it as a TV, so it is a decent option for a small apartment, dorm, or kitchen where a TV/PC might be useful.

Clean design, adequate performance, and truly awesome sound make the HP EliteOne 870 G9 a terrific all-in-one PC — and my Product of the Week.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECT News Network.

Our Top Picks

Dual speed pool pumps are gaining popularity among pool owners as they offer energy-saving benefits. These pumps are designed to operate at two different speeds - low and high. The low speed is ideal for regular pool maintenance while the high speed is used for more demanding tasks. Customer reviews show that dual speed pool pumps significantly reduce electricity bills and produce less noise. However, proper sizing, operation, and maintenance are crucial to achieve optimal performance. Expert insights suggest running the pump on low speed for at least 8-12 hours per day and regular cleaning to ensure longevity. Overall, dual speed pool pumps are an effective option for pool owners seeking energy-efficient solutions.

FAQ

Q: What is a dual speed pool pump?

A: A dual speed pool pump is a type of pool pump that can operate at two different speeds. This allows for more energy-efficient operation, as the pump can run at a lower speed when less water flow is needed.

Q: What are the benefits of a dual speed pool pump?

A: There are several benefits to using a dual speed pool pump. First, it can help reduce energy costs by using less electricity when running at a lower speed. Second, it can help extend the life of the pump by reducing wear and tear. Lastly, it can help Improve water quality by allowing for more efficient filtration.

Q: How do I know if a dual speed pool pump is right for me?

A: If you're looking for a way to reduce your energy costs and Improve the efficiency of your pool's filtration system, a dual speed pool pump may be a good choice for you. It's important to consider factors like the size of your pool and the amount of use it gets when deciding on a pump, so be sure to consult with a professional before making your purchase.

Conclusions

After thoroughly researching and testing various dual speed pool pumps on the market, we can confidently say that these pumps are a game-changer for pool owners. Dual speed pool pumps offer the convenience of two different speed options, allowing users to save energy and money while still maintaining a clean and clear pool. These pumps are available in various horsepower options to fit the needs of any pool or spa. Overall, we highly recommend considering a dual speed pool pump for anyone in the market for a new pool pump.

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Exclusively launched across UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s stores, as a test and learn opportunity, the campaign sees Toblerone packs decorated with new colourful designs using HP’s digital technology to create a truly unexpected gifting moment for chocolate lovers.

With this instore activation, Toblerone wants to test and learn from the HP digital printing technique on its packs. The aim is to elevate its presence across Sainsbury’s store shelves, as well as build an emotional connection with consumers, generating a sense of pride and belonging and celebrating originality.

The campaign has over 170,000 unique designs – made by Bulletproof agency – where on each package, not only the type of personality is different, but also its background and icons are personalised according to the personality described in that packaging.   

This is not the first time Mondelez International and HP have partnered to create a personalised campaign. This partnership has been going on for eight years, and with campaigns like Milka Leo ‘Colour your Break’ or ‘Say it With Milka’, HP has helped Mondelez to increase penetration, marketing returns on investment and engagement with its consumers.

Personalised packaging has emerged as a powerful tool for brands to boost their sales in today's competitive marketplace. By tailoring packaging designs and messages to cater to individual consumers, brands can create a deeper connection and enhance the overall customer experience, aligning their products with their target audience's unique preferences, values, and lifestyles.

Jose Gorbea, head of brands & sustainability innovation HP said, "We educate our brands about digital print, its strategic benefits, and inspire them to reinvent creativity through the power of co-creation, which in return accelerates the growth of the brands, driving a 2X Marketing ROI2 and most importantly, creating shared value between brand owners, HP customers, and HP. This collaborative approach not only strengthens the bond between the brand and its audience but also fosters innovation and unlocks new possibilities in the ever-evolving digital landscape."

Claire Kamara, brand manager, Toblerone, “The idea for this instore activation came from an HP Garage Innovation Workshop with Mondelez International in the UK. At Toblerone, we are committed to growing our business at the same time as keeping our customers totally engaged by creating new, original and personalised packaging designs for all chocolate lovers. This activation will help us test & learn from the digital printing technology, which offers an opportunity to not only innovate with storytelling on pack, but also create sustainability benefits for our business.”

To make the ‘That’s so You’ campaign possible, HP leveraged leading German PSP, Pfaffle, to print the folding carton boxes. The press used was the HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press, a breakthrough 75 cm format offset-matching sheetfed solution specially designed for folding carton production. Mondelez International required specific packaging requests, such as avoiding similar themes, avoiding grouping packs with the same type of colour, or ensuring a balanced distribution of different original traits. By printing digitally and using HP SmartStream Designer’s unique variable data technology: ‘HP Spark’, PSP was able to create the perfect sequence, resulting in the correct order of Toblerone packs. This not only saved valuable time and money for the brand but also contributed to sustainability efforts by reducing shipments.

HP Indigo technology is available in Australia through Currie Group.