By Matthew Jaster, Senior Editor

Forget the IIoT and Industry 4.0 buzzwords. We're not interested in 10 to 15 years down the road or what the factory of the future is going to look like. There are plenty of industrial, automotive and aerospace applications today where smart manufacturing can impact a power transmission system. Here’s a look at some real-world applications where smart components are benefitting manufacturing operations minus all the tech-talk and prognostication. Call it "The Future is Right Now," or "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Smart Manufacturing."