RESOURCES

blog article

Nov 16, 2018

The opening of McLaren’s new production facility in Rotherham may have been rich in pomp and ceremony - a 3,850 horsepower convoy of supercars racing to meet the more sedate Royal fleet of Bentleys, for example - but behind the showmanship, there are vital lessons for UK manufacturing.

blog article

Nov 16, 2018

Amid all the hype and wide-eyed growth predicted for virtual reality, it's often difficult for stakeholders to decide which of its two words to focus on. Will VR deliver only indirect, virtual benefits to the manufacturing industry or direct, tangible benefits that become a bottom-line reality?

blog article

Nov 16, 2018

Dependent upon your perspective, the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) invokes one of two opinions: One, eventually the machines will rule the world. Or two, you appreciate the benefits of modern technology. But either way, one thing is certain: The human workforce relinquishes a bit of respon...

blog article

Nov 16, 2018

Robotics is a field concerned with the intuitive connection of perception to action. Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence is used in every industry to automate applications throughout the product line to save time and money. Robots are now used to handle most tedious and dangerous manufacturing applica...

blog article

Nov 15, 2018

In the manufacturing industry, there is more to measure now than ever before. This we all know. And while every production process is different, taking a data-driven approach to uncovering insights is a great strategy no matter what is being produced. We all know this, too.

blog article

Nov 15, 2018

IoT Analytics, a leading provider of market insights & competitive intelligence for the Internet of Things (IoT), M2M, and Industry 4.0, today published a comprehensive 375-page market report titled Industry 4.0 & Smart Manufacturing 2018-2023.

blog article

Nov 08, 2018

Who doesn’t love a sandwich from Subway? Apparently, there are 37 million possible sandwich variations, made possible through different filling, salad, bread, and condiment combinations. Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of industrial parts supplier EU Automation, explains how the future of...

blog article

Nov 04, 2018

Blockchain’s greatest potential to deliver business value is in manufacturing. Increasing visibility across every area of manufacturing starting with suppliers, strategic sourcing, procurement, and supplier quality to shop floor operations including machine-level monitoring and service, blockc...

blog article

Oct 29, 2018

President Trump’s trade fight with China continues on multiple fronts. This dispute the president is prosecuting against Beijing is a big deal that is regularly overtaken by other events in the news cycle, and it isn’t helped that the president himself is, ummm, an imperfect messenger to...

blog article

Oct 25, 2018

Not only do factories provide better-paying jobs, they lift up entire communities. There's nothing that upsets us more here at the Alliance for American Manufacturing than when someone tries to argue that manufacturing doesn't matter anymore.

blog article

Oct 22, 2018

U.S. manufacturing sector has been witnessing resurgence under the Trump administration since last year, shrugging off its lengthy spell of weak productivity and sluggish growth. Under Trump’s presidency, the manufacturing sector is flying high as manufacturers have increased capital spending ...

blog article

Oct 19, 2018

Terry Iverson, president of Iverson and Company and founder of ChampionNow!, is working to change the perception of manufacturing in the United States by writing a book for parents, mentors, and educators. The goal is to highlight the quality manufacturing career opportunities that are available to ...

blog article

Oct 19, 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity enabling these objects to collect and exchange data, according to Forbes. Products with wireless connectivity (from light bulbs to thermostats to Alexa) are most pre...

blog article

Oct 18, 2018

The strategy has input from across the federal government. I know we say this a lot, but there’s a lot going on these days. So, we wouldn’t blame you if you missed this piece of news: Earlier this month, the Trump administration officially unveiled its strategy for strengthening American...

blog article

Oct 16, 2018

In the initial days of industry revolution, when the organizations were just shaping up, there was no information system to support their activities. Most of the decisions were impulsive, a lack of teamwork, and no means for information exchange. This can be classified as multiple dysfunction enterp...

blog article

Oct 15, 2018

Today’s manufacturing environment is highly dynamic & complex and consists of various stakeholders like multiple suppliers & partners, multiple distribution channels, multiple fulfillment partners, multiple customer types etc. Decisions have to be taken on business performance and over...

blog article

Oct 15, 2018

Data is all grown up, with new multidimensional capabilities and broader horizons to offer the manufacturing community. Large data pools have turned manufacturers attention to Big Data solutions for an altogether new dimension of research and trend analysis.

blog article

Oct 11, 2018

American manufacturers risk losing their competitive edge without clean energy advances. The United Nations climate change report issued on Monday is nothing short of terrifying. But as scientists consistently exhort, we can stabilize our climate future - and another report finds that manufacturing ...

blog article

Oct 05, 2018

Happy Manufacturing Day! It’s not a federal holiday quite yet; rather, it’s a moment to appreciate our fellow Americans who work with their hands for a living. But we owe them some help. America can do a better job at recruiting and preparing people for middle-skill jobs that require mor...

blog article

Oct 01, 2018

Another productive (I do believe that manufacturing productivity is on the rise) year has flown by and it is once again time for Manufacturing Day. This year, Manufacturing Day, also known as MFG Day, will be held on October 5th - the first Friday of the month. It is a day devoted to celebrating mod...

blog article

Oct 01, 2018

The ISM Manufacturing Index registered 59.8 points in September, down 1.5 percentage points from the previous month, according to the Institute for Supply Management. September’s reading indicates the twenty-fifth consecutive month of expansion in manufacturing, as readings over 50 points deno...

blog article

Sep 13, 2018

What is smart manufacturing? Essentially, smart manufacturing is the practice of making information about manufacturing processes available when and where it is needed, in the form it is needed, so that smart decision can be made about the course of critical business operations.

blog article

Sep 11, 2018

The 3D printing revolution has already touched cars in a multitude of ways, but Volkswagen is planning to take the largest step yet: mass production of parts. We've seen 3D printers produce calipers, door sills, and even entire cars, but it's always been for limited production purposes. VW i...

blog article

Sep 10, 2018

Throughout the year, Modern Machine Shop (MMS) has written a lot about two topics-IMTS 2018 and June 1928. The former is the most influential event in the machining industry. The latter is the month and year Gardner Business Media introduced Modern Machine Shop to the machining industry.

blog article

Sep 10, 2018

Every week it seems as though a new additive manufacturing (AM) machine (or 3D printer) is being announced to the world, leading to a flurry of coverage over what the machine is claimed to do better, cheaper, faster, bigger than existing technology. Whatever the truth of these claims, it is clear th...

blog article

Sep 10, 2018

The revolutionary approach to digital integration is transforming manufacturing in more ways than one. Not only are manufacturers leveraging new technologies to create and sustain smart factories, but their businesses are experiencing more flexibility, reliability, stable outputs and increased produ...

blog article

Sep 07, 2018

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy added 201,000 last month, which America’s headline writers agree is a pretty good number. Earnings were up, too. The figure for the manufacturing sector wasn’t particularly rosy, though - factory jobs receded by 3,000 in Augus...

blog article

Sep 07, 2018

Researchers from Virginia Tech and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new way to 3D print with graphene. Graphene has previously been used in extrusion-based processes to print single sheets and basic structures at a resolution of around 100 microns, but this latest research sho...

blog article

Sep 06, 2018

Metal 3D printing has enormous potential to revolutionize modern manufacturing. However, the existing metal 3D printing processes, which use lasers to fuse together fine metal powder, have their limitations. The reason being that metals generally don't exist in a state that they can be readily e...

blog article

Sep 06, 2018

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Index registered 58.5 points in August, 2.8 percentage points above July’s figure. This was the 103rd consecutive month of expansion as a reading above 50 indicates growth. Sixteen non-manufacturing industries reported growth, while one reported a decrease. The majori...

blog article

Sep 06, 2018

The number of individuals earning degrees in engineering has increased steadily over the past decade, and those numbers will only continue to grow. In particular, one subdiscipline of engineering is looking ever more appealing to students: manufacturing engineering.

blog article

Sep 06, 2018

It’s just one month away! Manufacturing Day 2018 officially arrives on Friday, October 5. This annual celebration gives small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) the chance to showcase their products and capabilities to students, educators, businesspeople, politicians, and the media.

blog article

Sep 05, 2018

ArianeGroup, the space-launchers joint-venture between Airbus and Safran and the team in charge of the Ariane 6 project, on Sept. 4 awarded a contract to its Swedish supplier GKN Aerospace for turbines of re-usable rocket engine demonstrator, part of Prometheus project.

blog article

Sep 04, 2018

How optimized is your manufacturing process? Would asking this question hurt? Often it can, because setting up a manufacturing process is not easy. It takes time and a fine-tuning capacity that can make even the most ardent perfectionist feel tired.

blog article

Sep 04, 2018

Researchers from Harvard University’s John A Paulsen School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have developed a new 3D printing technique that uses sound waves to generate droplets from liquids with an unprecedented range of composition and viscosity.

blog article

Sep 03, 2018

Silicone molding is an affordable production method that can allow you to make a series of identical objects for prototyping and functional testing. Until now, however, fabricating molds for casting complex objects required a lot of experience and also involved manual work, which made the process sl...

blog article

Sep 03, 2018

Gene therapy is slowly stepping out of its niche, as new scientific insights and lessons learned from early-stage failures have led to several approvals. Now, manufacturing of the viruses used in gene therapy is about to become the next bottleneck. Can contract manufacturing organizations cope with ...

blog article

Sep 03, 2018

Those are the tangible innovations, meaning if you buy a new car, you will benefit in some way from said innovations. Then there are the not so tangible ones unless you work in the business. Or in this case, a manufacturing facility. At least for now.

blog article

Aug 30, 2018

Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing, as it is commonly known, is a technology that is being more and more used in manufacturing across many industries. The space industry is no exception, and slowly companies are embracing this technology in innovative ways to gain a competitive advantage.

blog article

Aug 30, 2018

Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have garnered a lot of attention recently. IDC estimates machine learning and AI spending to increase from $19.1 billion in 2018 to $52.2 billion by 2021. With billions of dollars invested in ML and AI, tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon...

blog article

Aug 29, 2018

A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota have fully 3D printed an array of light receptors on a hemispherical surface which could pave the way for future bionic eyes. And they believe that the 3D printed bionic eye could someday help blind people see or sighted people see better.

blog article

Aug 29, 2018

3D printers are great at creating objects that are small enough to fit within their printer tray. However, if someone wants to create a large-scale object, they are either forced to find a printer large enough to accommodate the job, or to print it in pieces that can be assembled later.

blog article

Aug 29, 2018

Innovation in manufacturing has made for surprisingly even footing among rivals in a variety of industries. The last remaining point of competition for market share, some argue, is found in speed and efficiency: even if two companies are making the same products, the business that gets the products ...

blog article

Aug 29, 2018

Collaborative robots or cobots are a new class of robots that are bridging the gap between fully manual assembly and fully automated manufacturing lines. This has become a critical competitive advantage for small and mid-sized specialty medical device manufacturers and is helping to fill automation ...

blog article

Aug 28, 2018

Cast metal has been widely used in architecture - for facades, bridges, beams, columns, and connections. A historical example is the exposed cast-iron arches and columns in the Sainte-Genevieve Library France built by architect Henri Labrouste. Cast metal can find application in architecture whereve...

blog article

Aug 28, 2018

The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences will establish a new facility in Harford City, Md. that will host industrial additive manufacturing lines, National Defense Magazine reported Monday. The organization is coordinating with public and private organizations such as Johns Hopkins University...

blog article

Aug 28, 2018

Unlike the Betamax/VHS technology debate, all the established polymer print technologies have a viable long-term role to play in the 3D-printing industry. SmarTech Publishing has two new studies on additive manufacturing trends. The Crozet, Va.- based firm is said to be a leading provider of industr...

blog article

Aug 27, 2018

Wireless Headphones market report is a helpful tool to understand the Global and regional market situations and to determine how the market will evolve. Complete Wireless Headphones market data will play a central role in planning your next move.

blog article

Aug 27, 2018

By now it’s a given that demand for lidar sensors is heading toward levels never seen before. A few companies in the automotive lidar market have met this growing demand with factory expansions: Velodyne made the leap a few years ago. Now, the relatively new Quanergy has jumped in, announcing ...

blog article

Aug 24, 2018

Losing workers from the factory floor is never easy, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) where the output of every employee can be critical to maintaining production quotas and keeping customers happy.

blog article

Aug 23, 2018

Today (August 23, 2018) represents a milestone in the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Thirty years ago, on this date in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (Public Law 100-418...

blog article

Aug 23, 2018

The Internet of Things is creating a 3-D map of your workplace, and it knows you have been taking too many coffee breaks. Every 15 minutes? Seriously, stop. In this connected map, devices, machines, and business processes are linked.

blog article

Aug 23, 2018

Information and communication technology (ICT) is reshaping modern manufacturing around the world, but a new report released today by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the world’s top-ranked think tank for science and technology policy, finds that US manufacturers, a...

blog article

Aug 22, 2018

U.S. jobs in manufacturing, including plastics, are continuing to grow, but hourly wages are not keeping up with the rest of the economy. This development has caught the attention of veteran economist Alan Tonelson. In a recent post on his RealityChek blog, Tonelson pointed out that average hourly w...

blog article

Aug 22, 2018

Soldiers on the battlefield or at remote bases often have to wait weeks for replacement parts when a key piece of equipment breaks down. Now researchers from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the U.S. Marine Corps have found a way to fabricate these parts within hours using waste plastics, such ...

blog article

Aug 21, 2018

Additive Manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, has evolved rapidly in recent years. As new industries have begun to embrace the technology, they are discovering the many ways in which the technology is impacting their business. AM is helping them to reduce development and manufacturing costs; increase...

blog article

Aug 20, 2018

Russian state conglomerate Rostec (Russian: Ростех) is investing almost 3 billion rubles ($44.7 million) to establish a specialized center to introduce advanced additive manufacturing to high-tech industries, the Rostec group announced on last Friday.

blog article

Aug 17, 2018

During Brazil’s worst recession on record, no economic sector lost more than industry. For 14 months in a row, Brazilian industry posted negative results. As a result, the industry started to account for a smaller share of the GDP - even in a scenario of economic retraction. Rock bottom came a...

blog article

Aug 15, 2018

In his groundbreaking 2012 book, the Business Model Innovation Factory, Saul Kaplan argued that companies must treat their business models much like products. They should be constantly assessed, redesigned, prototyped and tested.

blog article

Aug 15, 2018

Sensors have played a role in manufacturing for years, but until recently they have been largely constrained by issues such as system noise, signal attenuation, and response dynamics. Today, integration of local computing power and the Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed ordinary sensors into s...

blog article

Aug 14, 2018

‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) members JinkoSolar and Hanwha Q CELLS have both updated plans to start solar module assembly manufacturing in the US, post the US Section 201 trade case. Leading SMSL, JinkoSolar which continues to add manufacturing capacity in China across ingot/wafe...

blog article

Aug 13, 2018

Washington-based manufacturing business have a problem: they are short on skilled workers that can quickly adapt to ever-changing machinery and technology. Skagit Valley College (SVC) has recognized this and is updating its manufacturing technology program to better fit the needs of businesses in th...

blog article

Aug 13, 2018

Lauren Woeher wonders if her 16-month-old daughter has been harmed by tap water contaminated with toxic industrial compounds used in products like nonstick cookware, carpets, and fast-food wrappers. Henry Betz, at 76, rattles around his house alone at night, thinking about the water his family unkno...

blog article

Aug 10, 2018

What makes a great state for manufacturing? It takes a combination of factors, like an existing industrial base, the availability of talent, investment incentives, and favorable tax and regulatory environments. Here are Global Trade’s choices for the states that have the best combinations of a...

blog article

Aug 10, 2018

New research proves advanced materials containing molecules that switch states in response to environmental stimuli can be fabricated using 3D printing. Victor Sans from the Faculty of Engineering at University of Nottingham, explains. There is a profound and fundamental divide between the way engin...

blog article

Aug 08, 2018

In physics, a collision is defined as an encounter between particles resulting in exchange or transformation of energy. Within the MEP National Network, we don’t work with particles, but we do see collisions of this type all the time. Companies are transformed by the exchange of information an...

blog article

Aug 07, 2018

How much work you have to do to clean up after you prepare a meal at home depends on how many people you served. The more people you served, the more dishes you have to wash, generally speaking. You may only need to load a couple of dishes into your dishwasher, or you may need to roll up your sleeve...

blog article

Aug 06, 2018

Worldwide 3D printing spending will reach $23B in 2022, according to a new update to the Worldwide Semiannual 3D Printing Spending Guide from International Data Corporation (IDC). The growth rate for 3D printing hardware, materials, software, and services carries a five-year CAGR of 18.4%.

blog article

Aug 03, 2018

3D printing has been around for over 30 years, and became a highly-utilized tool in the last 10 to 15 years. These machines have been used to create jewelry, toys, and action figures (just to mention a few). With the rise of open-source online blueprints, we’ve seen the uses and frequency of 3...

blog article

Aug 03, 2018

Audi and Ericsson plan to pioneer the use of 5G technology for automotive production. At Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany, the two companies agreed on a range of activities exploring the potential of 5G as a future-proof communication technology that can meet the high demands of auto...

blog article

Aug 03, 2018

It’s no longer just for gaming! Virtual Reality (VR), sometimes referred to as Augmented Reality (AR), is shaking things up across all industries, including manufacturing. While the technology is currently being employed mainly by large manufacturers, like additive manufacturing and the cobots...

blog article

Aug 02, 2018

The last few years have seen renewed growth for manufacturing in the United States, both in terms of output and as a percentage of the labor force. A PriceWaterhouseCoopers report credits that phenomenon to a growing economy, workforce quality, tax policies, the regulatory environment, and transport...

blog article

Aug 01, 2018

Lockheed Martin Corp.’s space division is using augmented reality headsets and software to speed up the time it takes for engineers to learn about and conduct manufacturing processes on spacecraft, said Yvonne Hodge, the division’s vice president and chief information officer.

blog article

Aug 01, 2018

The ISM Manufacturing Index registered 58.1 points in July, down 2.1 percentage points from the previous month, according to the Institute for Supply Management. July’s reading indicates the twenty-third consecutive month of expansion in manufacturing, as readings over 50 points denote expansi...

blog article

Jul 31, 2018

Manufacturers from across the Midwest gathered in Chicago to discuss the biggest trend facing their industry: The Industrial Internet of Things. Here are the top takeaways from The Internet of Manufacturing Midwest (#IoTMan) conference. Predictive maintenance is still the main value driver to implem...

blog article

Jul 31, 2018

General Motors has embraced smart manufacturing through its Zero Down Time robot program in partnership with Japan’s Fanuc three years ago. Today, the robots only continue to multiply. Dan Grieshaber, GM’s director of global manufacturing integration, told Automotive News in a Monday rep...

blog article

Jul 31, 2018

Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation is a private label, contract, and food service manufacturer headquartered in Chester, Illinois.  The organization produces over 8,000 items for more than 500 different private label brands across 14 manufacturing facilities. Spanning four states, this family-owned b...

blog article

Jul 30, 2018

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 350 workers were fatally injured in manufacturing accidents in 2015. That is 350-plus hard-working employees who lost their lives while simply doing their job. What makes this statistic even more tragic is that many of these deaths could have b...

blog article

Jul 30, 2018

During Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency, he made advancing American manufacturing a foundation of his economic platform and promised to reduce the sector’s federal regulatory burden. In 2014, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the top industry association represen...

blog article

Jul 30, 2018

My passion for electronics started in elementary school when I wanted to figure out why one of the floppy disks stopped working. From there, I began to understand how computers worked. After that I was hooked; I took apart all sorts of electronics from TVs to radios, and even touch lamps.

blog article

Jul 27, 2018

It’s important to consider all risks and challenges that might occur and to plan for those when you move into high volume manufacturing. Work with contract manufacturing on design, timelines, and costs to give you a 360º view of your project. Doing this will help you establish accurate mi...

blog article

Jul 26, 2018

London-headquartered Evo, a surgical and high-precision engineering company that provides bespoke one-day full jaw dental implant treatment has received a GBP4 million investment from BGF, the UK's most active investor in growing businesses.

blog article

Jul 26, 2018

Printing body parts is not just for science fiction. It’s done by Brazilian company BioArchitects, founded four years ago by young entrepreneur Felipe Marques. Just out of college with a degree in economics, he saw potential in investing in medical 3D printing.

blog article

Jul 25, 2018

General Motors is using various new technologies such as robotic arm and 3D printing at its assembly plants. At a General Motors Assembly plant in Michigan, workers may gain grasp-assist from a wearable device called RoboGlove to handle 3D printed parts. At its Lansing Delta Township assembly plant ...

blog article

Jul 25, 2018

Let’s begin with the Richmond Fed regional manufacturing index which was better than expected. Factories are increasingly paying higher prices for raw materials and shipping, with many passing these higher costs to their customers.

blog article

Jul 25, 2018

Carbon fiber material recycling specialist Vartega and the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association on July 24 announced the formation of the Advanced Materials and Additive Manufacturing Infrastructure Development and Education (AMIDE) Alliance. The goal of the alliance is to provide critical reso...

blog article

Jul 25, 2018

The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, is in Washington, DC today to meet with President Trump in an attempt to calm the burgeoning trade dispute between the United States and the European Union. Looks like they’re having a nice time! Lots of elbows are being held.

blog article

Jul 24, 2018

Additive manufacturing (AM) will have an increased presence at the 2018 edition of The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), with more AM exhibits and content available to attendees than ever before. Why? There are a few big reasons.

blog article

Jul 23, 2018

UK manufacturing has a lot to contend with. Coming to terms with the digitalization of the factory process, recruiting skilled labor, providing adequate training, boosting productivity and investment, let alone regulation and trade barriers. Manufacturers are faced with a very challenging economic e...

blog article

Jul 23, 2018

When seeking out a new job, potential employees want to understand what will be expected of them and how they will be evaluated if brought onboard; on the other hand, employers want to be sure they are interviewing the right candidates for the right job, and not wasting valuable time interviewing un...

blog article

Jul 21, 2018

When we think of additive manufacturing, we tend to think about the machines-the 3D printers capable of building parts bit by bit and fashioning never-before-seen part geometries. As new processes arrive and additive manufacturing machines continue to evolve, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds...

blog article

Jul 20, 2018

Balance might be the only thing on your mind the first time you stand on a surfboard, but the experienced surfers from the University of Wollongong (UOW) are all thinking about equipment. About those little tweaks to board design and materials that can optimize their performance and help them catch ...

blog article

Jul 20, 2018

As a consumer, it’s nearly impossible to get away from videos, advertising or otherwise. To give you a numeric sense of our collective obsession with online moving images: Since last year, YouTube has started registering over a billion hours of video viewing every single day.

blog article

Jul 19, 2018

Manufacturers are complaining about tariffs. Manufacturers in all Districts expressed concern about tariffs and in many Districts reported higher prices and supply disruptions that they attributed to the new trade policies.

blog article

Jul 19, 2018

Bicycle design and production, like pretty much everything else these days, is being impacted by new technologies. Digital design tools, robotics, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and material science now enable new, exciting, and some surprising bike concepts, including essentially customized ...

blog article

Jul 19, 2018

Industry 4.0 has revolutionized the manufacturing and industrial space by introducing new technologies, making it possible to enhance productivity, visibility, connectivity, and profitability like never before.

blog article

Jul 18, 2018

Dumbfounded, I blinked at former Editor-in-Chief Bernie Pacyniak when he posed the question back in April. Bernie asked me at the end one of our standard 10:30 a.m. meetings, which usually involved an equal mix of housekeeping matters, progress updates, and chitchat.

blog article

Jul 18, 2018

In the near future, carbon is expected to replace metals in many applications of manufacturing goods. It could even be used to develop smart clothing capable of charging a cell phone. To prepare for a carbon renaissance, engineers at the Nanoworld Laboratories at the University of Cincinnati (UC) ha...

blog article

Jul 17, 2018

Allegheny Technologies today announced it has acquired New Britain, Connecticut-based Addaero Manufacturing (Addaero), a metal alloy additive manufacturing company that works in the aerospace and defense industries. Addaero Manufacturing was established in 2013 in New Britain, CT by three experience...

blog article

Jul 17, 2018

Implementing industrial robots in a manufacturing setting isn’t as simple as buying the robot and plugging it in. There are many different financial and logistical considerations to take into account before a robot can productively automate anything. While industrial robots may serve a wide va...

blog article

Jul 17, 2018

Lockheed Martin and Arconic have signed a two-year partnership agreement to develop materials and processes for the production of aerospace and defense technology platforms. Both companies aim to create lightweight material and metal three-dimensional printing systems in a push to help industry adva...

blog article

Jul 16, 2018

This report analysis the global Liquid Fertilizer Spreaders market status and forecast, categorizes the global Liquid Fertilizer Spreaders market size (value volume) by manufacturers, type, application, and region. A detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restrainin...

blog article

Jul 14, 2018

“A few years ago, this session would have been dedicated to quality engineers,” said Norbert Hanke, president of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. Speaking at HxGN Live, parent company Hexagon AB’s annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mr. Hanke heads a division with roots in e...

blog article

Jul 13, 2018

There’s new technology that can improve drug quality, address shortages of medicines, lower drug costs, and bring pharmaceutical manufacturing back to the United States. At the FDA, we’re focused on propelling these innovations, collectively referred to as advanced manufacturing.

blog article

Jul 13, 2018

As the Trump Administration’s tariffs bite down, more companies are going to feel the financial crunch. But in the end, they won’t be the biggest losers in a trade war because it may be the consumer who stands to be hit the hardest.

blog article

Jul 12, 2018

Ah, summertime - the time of year when many young children run off to camp. I’m getting nostalgic just thinking about the summers I spent at camp when I was a kid. There’s a camp out there for all kids, no matter what they’re interested in - adventure camps, religious camps, sports...

blog article

Jul 11, 2018

American manufacturing begins with innovation. There are more than 12.5 million manufacturing workers in the United States that utilize these innovations every day, whether it be the operation of cutting-edge machinery or something as simple as the use of an improved tool or methodology.

blog article

Jul 11, 2018

Oerlikon and Lufthansa Technik has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish processes for additive manufacturing (AM) in aircraft MRO. Lufthansa Technik, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the aerospace industry.

blog article

Jul 10, 2018

During a recent vacation to Italy, my wife and I had the opportunity to tour the Museo della Carta (Paper Museum) in the town of Amalfi. One source I came across referred to this museum as “a jewel of industrial archaeology,” and I fully agree. Built in the 14th century this is an oldest...

blog article

Jul 10, 2018

In recent memory, no time has more effectively demonstrated the challenges facing the food and beverage industry than spring 2018. In addition to a widely publicized recall of romaine lettuce, several other companies have instituted noteworthy product recalls. While demoralizing for food and beverag...

blog article

Jul 10, 2018

A few weeks ago, Elon Musk tweeted that “humans are underrated” and that heavy automation didn’t have the results expected in Tesla’s gigafactory. Isn’t it a great example of what’s wrong with digital transformation and smart factories?

blog article

Jul 09, 2018

American manufacturers were fairly optimistic in June with the index coming in at 60.2, up 1.5 points on the day. Supplier delivery times actually increased, which pushes this index higher because it means there’s more manufacturing to do. However, consumers won’t be happy to hear it&rsq...

blog article

Jul 06, 2018

Atlas Tool Works is a small family-owned company that provides specialized machining and turning of tight tolerance parts, precision sheet metal fabrication, metal stamping, and complex engineered assemblies. It has 72 employees, and a long history of commitment to quality and continuous improvement...

blog article

Jul 05, 2018

The tweet. These days, it seems that when you hear about Twitter it’s usually because a celebrity, politician, or even virtual nobody has posted an online faux-pas, resulting in a swift backlash that causes a public apology at best and career suicide at worst. Knowing the destructive powers of...

blog article

Jul 05, 2018

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Index registered 59.1 points in June, 0.5 percentage point above May’s figure. This was the 101st consecutive month of expansion as a reading above 50 indicates growth. Seventeen non-manufacturing industries reported growth, while one reported a decrease.

blog article

Jul 03, 2018

In honor of the Fourth of July, Thomas is not only celebrating Independence Day but also celebrating the independent American manufacturers that contribute so much to our country throughout the year. And while there are many reasons to appreciate these small and mid-sized businesses, we wanted to hi...

blog article

Jul 02, 2018

Every year, thousands of manufacturers around the country shut down their plants and facilities for a few weeks in the summer. They do so for a variety of reasons - to allow for vacation time, to take care of deferred maintenance, or to retool for the second half of the year. While these activities ...

blog article

Jul 02, 2018

The ISM Manufacturing Index registered 60.2 points in June, up 1.5 percentage points from the previous month, according to the Institute for Supply Management. June’s reading indicates the twenty-second consecutive month of expansion in manufacturing, as readings over 50 points denote expansio...

blog article

Jul 02, 2018

There have been a lot of discussions recently about the impacts of the recently proposed tariff changes by the US Administration on Chinese goods. As we approach the up-and-coming implementation date of July 6th, 2018, the questions we’re getting from customers about the impact on their produc...

blog article

Jul 01, 2018

As we talk more and more about industry 4.0, one might think that the biggest challenges of this fourth industrial revolution will be technological we’re not that sure about that! Indeed, the new industrial revolution represents major technological challenges, but in this new era where factori...

blog article

Jun 29, 2018

Fueled by new technology like the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Big Data, Industry 4.0 offers tremendous potential for improving operational efficiency and spurring growth. However, many manufacturers perceive Industry 4.0 adoption as more of an obligation than an opportunity, something t...

blog article

Jun 26, 2018

It’s finally summer, and that means warm weather, long weekends, and lazy, sun-soaked vacations. Some factories and shops even partially or fully shut down during the summer months, giving workers more time to spend with their loved ones.

blog article

Jun 26, 2018

Dark, dirty, dangerous. Unfortunately, this outdated perception of manufacturing persists to this day, and it can keep away new talent. By 2025, nearly 25 percent of the United States population is expected to be aged 60 or older, meaning many manufacturing workers will be leaving the factory floor....

blog article

Jun 25, 2018

Harley-Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle brand, will shift some manufacturing overseas in response to the raising of trade barriers on both sides of the Atlantic. In a filing made Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Wisconsin-based Harley-Davidson disclosed plans to move some ...

blog article

Jun 25, 2018

To benefit from the rise in additive manufacturing, Australia needs to move fast and get its act together, say experts Alex Kingsbury and Ian Gibson. Australia is seeing the dawn of a new age in manufacturing. The closure of the auto industry has highlighted the need to transition manufacturing to h...

blog article

Jun 21, 2018

There’s been a ton of speculation on the state of U.S. manufacturing over the past few years, especially as reshoring initiatives continue to gain traction across different industries. According to the Reshoring Initiative, an organization that helps U.S. manufacturers pursue and realize the b...

blog article

Jun 21, 2018

There is no one size fits all view when it comes to manufacturing. Large, advanced plants are using a plethora of advanced manufacturing processes, robots and data as a core part of their operations. There are emerging startups who are lean and able to respond to changing customer demands quickly.

blog article

Jun 20, 2018

The U.S. Men's National Team might not have qualified for the big tournament this year, but there’s still plenty of excitement in our ranks about the 2018 FIFA World Cup. And since we are all nerds serious policy wonks here at the Alliance for American Manufacturing, we got to wondering wh...

blog article

Jun 19, 2018

While manufacturers have traditionally been hesitant to invest in their operations due to cost, a recent National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) survey of more than 500 manufacturers reveals that 65% plan to increase capital spending in the coming years. Where is the money going to go?

blog article

Jun 15, 2018

Cisco Live just wrapped this week, and we had a lot of great conversations with customers who are looking to evolve their manufacturing operations and achieve an ultimate state. Many of these conversations revolved around how to improve their factory network and reduce downtime, taking advantage of ...

blog article

Jun 15, 2018

With the introduction of new technologies, Industry 4.0 has changed how manufacturing works. As a result, it’s also changed who is needed to work within the industry. While traditional skills like machining and tooling are tremendously valuable, manufacturers now require employees with profici...

blog article

Jun 08, 2018

Content marketing is not a new concept, but for building product manufacturers, it is probably a foreign one. Even those BPMs who understand what content marketing believes that it is an approach reserved purely for B2C businesses.

blog article

Jun 07, 2018

Many consider 2017 the worst year ever for data breaches and cyber attacks, largely due to the rise in ransomware. And IT experts predict it’s only going to get worse. According to the Online Trust Alliance (OTA), a non-profit that works to develop tools and best practices that enhance interne...

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Jun 06, 2018

Sometimes it seems like we only hear the story of the American manufacturer during Super Bowl ads and speeches from pandering politicians. Marketers and speech writers may be skilled at storytelling, but they do not own those stories.

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Jun 05, 2018

Airwolf 3D makes 3D printers. In fact, it’s made four generations of them. But for the fifth, the company no longer wants its customers to think of the product as a printer, but an additive manufacturing center. To be sure, that claim surely has more than a tinge of a marketing speak. But seve...

blog article

May 30, 2018

Quora, the social media platform where people ask and answer questions, challenges the old saying that no one likes a know-it-all. Active community members (you can call them "Quorans" if you want) have earned the respect and deference of their peers by providing thoughtful and useful resp...

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May 24, 2018

Alaska brings to mind wild salmon, expansive wilderness and unique native cultures. But did you know there’s a small and thriving manufacturing industry representing 4% of the state’s private sector Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 4.8% of the employment base? In fact, from 2012 to 2016,...

blog article

May 23, 2018

Social media. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying its power. Today, nearly 210 million Americans engage in social media communities, from Facebook to LinkedIn, Twitter to YouTube. In California alone, there are nearly 30 million active social media users that's nearly 80% of the state&r...

blog article

May 23, 2018

With tariffs and trade taking center stage in recent months, a lot of the discussion has focused on the importing of goods and services. However, it has also sparked a renewed interest - and intensity - in exporting. In 2017, the U.S. exported nearly $2 trillion in goods and services, up 2.3% from 2...

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May 22, 2018

Playing an increasingly important role in today’s digital industrial marketing landscape, social media allows industrial professionals to meaningfully connect with their existing client base and showcase their expertise while attracting new prospects.

blog article

May 21, 2018

There is a lot of discussion about how 3D printing/rapid prototyping/additive manufacturing is revolutionizing manufacturing, including automotive manufacturing. But the question is: how much of this is hype driven by those who are tech fanboys or those who happen to have a decided interest (i.e., t...

blog article

May 21, 2018

As engineers, our thoughts are consumed with finding solutions to problems we see in the world. However, finding a solution to a problem is only one small part in a much larger process of bringing a product to market. Another part of this process is packaging your solution in some type of enclosure....

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May 17, 2018

In recent years much has been written about and presented on regarding the significant technical processing benefits of Continuous Manufacturing (CM) in the production of Oral Solid Dose Forms, namely coated Tablets. We’ve heard about the various direct compression, dry granulation, and wet gr...

blog article

May 16, 2018

From creating the first machine tools during the Industrial Revolution to welcoming robots onto factory floors in the early 1960’s, manufacturers can be quick to adopt new technologies. They are employing more advanced robotics, embracing 3D printing, and more. Now, another technology has capt...

blog article

May 15, 2018

The future is bright, the solution for all your problems has been found! One piece of equipment does it all – it will bring your Solid Dose Drug Product development, tech transfer, and manufacturing costs down, all while reducing your quality risks. Well eventually it will, and you will have t...

blog article

May 14, 2018

When announcing its monthly U.S. sales for April, Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of the Automobile Division and general manager of Honda sales, noted, “Even as we increase our sales of light trucks to record levels, we remain committed to delivering a balanced lineup of cars and l...

blog article

May 11, 2018

Doyle Equipment Manufacturing Company is a leading manufacturer of equipment for blending, conveying, tending and spreading dry fertilizers. Founded in 1951, the company has prospered through four generations of the Doyle family and grown to over one hundred employees.

blog article

May 10, 2018

The changing face of the American worker has manufacturers considering the importance of diversity. Today, California is the most diverse state within the contiguous United States (only Hawaii has more diversity). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics and Latinos take the top spot in the Go...

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May 08, 2018

As manufacturers increasingly open their doors to makers looking to enter the marketplace and crowdfunding platforms offer new avenues for financing, makers are supporting a more robust and diverse manufacturing ecosystem in the United States. It’s Pam Daniels mission to continue to support th...

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May 05, 2018

General Motors is working with Autodesk on utilizing advanced design software and 3D printing capabilities to develop parts that are not only lighter than those otherwise developed but which combine what would otherwise be separate parts, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.

blog article

May 03, 2018

The manufacturing industry is largely comprised of small businesses. In fact, according to the latest information from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 98 percent of manufacturing companies in the U.S. are considered to be small (with fewer than 500 employees). Further still, nearly 75 percent of m...

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May 03, 2018

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has taken the industry by storm, enabling manufacturers to bring a product to market faster for less. Now, Metal AM and numerous applications of the process are moving to the forefront of manufacturing for production

blog article

Apr 26, 2018

How many websites have you visited in the past year? Probably a lot. Perhaps you searched for travel deals or hunted for a left-handed can opener, or maybe you were scouting out the competition in your industrial manufacturing space. In any case, consider the amount of time you wasted attempting to ...

blog article

Apr 25, 2018

Exporting is big business in California-$171.9 billion last year alone. The Golden State currently exports to nearly 230 foreign markets, with our neighbors Mexico and Canada placing #1 and #2 respectively. So what’s keeping your Company from taking advantage of global trade?

blog article

Apr 23, 2018

Continuous Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals has been an extremely popular topic in our field for the past - 10 years or so. You see it in heavily academic circles. You see it in heavily industrial circles. And you see it being talked about by regulators in the US, Europe, and Japan. But, those of us...

blog article

Apr 20, 2018

Recently, we learned five things that surprised us about additive manufacturing for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs). These insights came from a group of MEP National NetworkTM practitioners who participated in a workshop at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with N...

blog article

Apr 19, 2018

Industrie 4.0, offers great promise for manufacturers to optimize business operations. The key to any successful I4.0 project lies in the factory data.  Industrial customers need seamless, secure access to this data to make better business decisions in their plants, which can only happen with a...

blog article

Apr 19, 2018

A few years ago, terms like “going green” and “eco-friendly” were all the rage for businesses. And while those words aren’t quite as buzzworthy today, they are still worth quite a lot to the people that really matter to manufacturers - B2B buyers.

blog article

Apr 18, 2018

Virtual reality and augmented reality are in the same vein when it comes to modern technology. They both deal with digital content relayed through an immersive environment or experience. The difference, however, is how encompassing that experience truly is.

blog article

Apr 18, 2018

This is blog article.

blog article

Apr 17, 2018

It’s no secret that your website is the most important aspect of your digital marketing strategy. But are you taking the time to continually optimize its pages and features? Maybe you don’t have the budget for a full redesign, or don’t require such a drastic change right now, but e...

blog article

Apr 14, 2018

Lean Production is widely recognized and accepted in the industrial setting. It concerns the strict integration of humans in the manufacturing process, a continuous improvement and focuses on value-adding activities by avoiding waste. However, a new paradigm called Industry 4.0 or the fourth industr...

blog article

Apr 12, 2018

There’s no better time than the present to expand your manufacturing company in New York, as there are many grants, funds, and financial incentives available to New York manufacturers. While there is a great deal of competition for this funding, companies that do their homework and submit stro...

blog article

Apr 11, 2018

An unexpected ingredient is making waves. Seaweed is becoming a popular ingredient in food manufacturing as consumers start to see its value. Why should distributors save some shelf space for an exotic underwater ingredient when there are plenty of crops on dry land? Here are a few reasons.

blog article

Apr 09, 2018

If you’re interested in additive manufacturing-even interested while fully thinking that you really need some reasonable production volumes, say of 15,000 to 20,000 parts, and know that what’s out there right now pretty much is limited to a fraction of that number-then here’s an ac...

blog article

Apr 09, 2018

In our recent post, Three Unexpected Trends Impacting the Labor Shortage, we talked about how finding and retaining labor remains a top challenge for manufacturers. Although robotic automation technology can solve some of their issues, such as using a smart, collaborative robot (cobot) like Sawyer t...

blog article

Apr 05, 2018

Social media can be a powerful marketing tool for manufacturers. In fact, there are significant business benefits of using social media - far beyond just generating likes and clicks. You have unique knowledge, valuable perspective, and innovative ideas. Social media allows you to showcase them.

blog article

Apr 04, 2018

Manufacturers are continuously working to improve safety within their facilities, and their efforts are paying off. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of manufacturing injuries have improved considerably over the years, from seven injury cases per 100 people in 2003 to just ...

blog article

Apr 03, 2018

As a small and medium-sized manufacturer (SMM), can you reasonably begin to adopt smart technologies through a lean transformation approach as part of your continuous improvement journey?

blog article

Apr 02, 2018

The New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP) is a network of organizations that provide growth and innovation services to small and mid-sized manufacturers in every corner of the state to help them create and retain jobs, increase profits, and save time and money. In 2017, manufacturers...

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Apr 02, 2018

The metal powder additive manufacturing industry’s structure continues to become more complex with new processes and competitors. The recent surge in interest and commercial activity in support of new and existing bound metal printing technologies is establishing a third major commercial area ...

blog article

Mar 28, 2018

“Technically, we’re a machine shop,” Brooks says, “but we prefer the terms ‘contract manufacturer’ and ‘solutions engineering.’” The newest article in FuzeHub’s Faces of Manufacturing series features Brad Brooks of Brooks Machine Products, ...

blog article

Mar 28, 2018

How do we reach the next generation, change their perceptions about manufacturing, and let them know about available career opportunities? Manufacturing Day and other initiatives are critical. Equally so is the time those of you in industry devote year-round in your communities, which I believe can ...

blog article

Mar 28, 2018

Manufacturers depend on an ecosystem of partners to implement IoT solutions. Partners provide support for different tiers of a solution that ultimately produces significant business value. Some Cisco partners manage the Enterprise side of a manufacturers infrastructure and may be engaged in the exte...

blog article

Mar 27, 2018

American inventors have had a tremendous impact on the United States and people around the world. The manufacturing industry has also felt the impact of these innovators who were willing to push the possibilities of their times and technologies. Thomas took a look back at a few of the awesome Americ...

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Mar 26, 2018

Manufacturing is one of the most threatened industries when it comes to the occurrence of cybersecurity attacks-second only to the healthcare industry. While digital and interconnected technologies have enabled a high level of adaptability for manufacturers to optimize production, cyber threats now ...

blog article

Mar 22, 2018

Getting your feet wet with continuous technology takes an organizational commitment, both financial and personnel. This is because continuous is a manufacturing approach, not a hardware solution. Continuous manufacturing relies on multiple interacting technologies including unit operation hardware, ...

blog article

Mar 14, 2018

As Californians, we know that it’s not a matter of if, but when the next natural disaster will strike. Losses from the recent Northern California wildfires damaged or destroyed over 700 businesses; others are still reeling from the Montecito mudslides. And the 2017 Mexico City earthquake conti...

blog article

Mar 14, 2018

Due to the tight labor market, manufacturers across the US and Europe are turning to collaborative robots (cobots) to perform lower level, repetitive tasks in order to use their workers for more skilled tasks. For companies with multiple CNC machines, for example, the company can roll in a cobot (or...

blog article

Mar 12, 2018

The good news? A new study finds that manufacturing still punches above its weight when it comes to wages. Factory workers earn 13 percent more in hourly compensation than other workers in similar private-sector fields, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) study, continuing a long-standi...

blog article

Mar 09, 2018

Based in Jefferson, Georgia, Buhler Yarns is a yarn manufacturer and a supplier to the sheeting industry hubs in Alabama and North Carolina. The company was established in 1995 and has since grown to around 135 employees. In reaction to changes in the market and customer demand, Buhler started makin...

blog article

Mar 07, 2018

It’ll be here before you know it-Manufacturing Day 2018 officially arrives on Friday, October 5, 2018. This annual celebration gives small and medium-sized manufacturers in California and across the country an opportunity to showcase their products and capabilities to students, educators, busi...

blog article

Mar 02, 2018

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, most manufacturers understand the importance of investing in their business. But, investing means spending money, something many manufacturers can be hesitant to do. This is a dangerous trap to fall into, however, as the long-term benefits of investing can...

blog article

Feb 28, 2018

A key dimension to factory productive measurement is OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness). While this has helped manufacturing over the years, the bigger question currently is how this measure is correlated with overall factory wellness. In this rapidly digitalizing landscape, the discussions are o...

blog article

Feb 27, 2018

Weigh in with your perspectives and experiences - and influence the direction of American advanced manufacturing! The National Science and Technology Council, Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing is developing a National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing to improve coordination and provide...

blog article

Feb 26, 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) has had a major impact on the manufacturing industry. The inter-reliability of sensors, equipment, machines, lines, processing units, plants, materials, containers, transportation, buildings, computers, software, cloud technology, mobile devices, people, departments, com...

blog article

Feb 23, 2018

Corporate interest in aluminum powder for additive manufacturing is at an all-time high. Aluminum alloys such as Aluminum Silicon (AlSiMg) are used almost exclusively for prototyping and tooling. However, aluminum is expected to be among the key materials in the shift toward larger batch production ...

blog article

Feb 23, 2018

Jennifer Perry wanted to provide a low-profile, comfortable, and fashionable belt for athletic working women. In 2014 she launched Jelt (link is external), a belt manufacturing company based in Bozeman, Montana. Since its inception, Jelt's belts have evolved to include a variety of colors and de...

blog article

Feb 22, 2018

Mergers and acquisitions are a driving force in the food industry today. Plus, a growing middle class and the millennial population are less brand loyal than previous generations, leading to a surge in store brands. What does this mean for food manufacturers? How should they respond?

blog article

Feb 21, 2018

The alchemy of manifesting sound into a vinyl record and then back again into sound is a magic that originates from Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph in 1877 but passed into obscurity in the 1990s with the rise of the CD.

blog article

Feb 13, 2018

Robotics has come a long way from when they first hit factory floors in the early 1960s. Today’s robots are more intelligent and versatile, and able to go to work with little to no human intervention. And, like anything that’s not fully understood, the rapid advancement and adoption of r...

blog article

Feb 09, 2018

If duties are lifted, plaintiffs say no chance domestic industry will recover and grow. Domestic aluminum producers petitioned the Commerce Department in 2017, claiming certain Chinese aluminum products (like foil) were being sold below cost. Commerce investigated and in its preliminary finding impo...

blog article

Feb 08, 2018

Manufacturers use wireless to increase margins, reduce cycle times, enable lean, and improve equipment productivity. While pervasive wireless connects sensors, tools, robots, AGVs, and RFID devices, it also enables mobility. Mobility supports far more than just cell phones, tablets, and laptops.

blog article

Feb 05, 2018

As the former owner of a small manufacturing company, I know how important the manufacturing industry is to the local and national economy. Manufacturing is the backbone of the United States. It created strong communities and brought us together as a nation and helped the U.S. become an economic pow...

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Feb 04, 2018

For the past four years, Nexteer Automotive has been doing the next best thing many companies do in design and manufacturing management: integrating the information systems of each into a single, “advanced, holistic, integrative” resource. Called “Digital Trace Manufacturing”...

blog article

Jan 31, 2018

There’s an apocryphal conversation between Hemingway and Fitzgerald where Hemingway observes that the difference between the rich and others is that they have more money. The accurate account is that Hemingway was talking with a literary critic, Mary Colum. When Hemingway mentioned that, &ldqu...

blog article

Jan 29, 2018

It only takes one defective component to potentially damage intricate manufacturing equipment or to produce damaged products that can’t be shipped to customers and clients. Quality components is a top priority for all manufacturers, especially for those in the semiconductor and chemical manufa...

blog article

Jan 29, 2018

“Things are changing. That’s absolutely the bottom line in the auto industry,” said Ford’s Vice President of U.S. Government Relations Curt Magleby this past Thursday. Ford and dozens of other auto manufacturers are exhibiting the latest in automotive technology at the Washin...

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Jan 26, 2018

SME is proud to announce that three of the organization’s leaders are among 36 women named to “Crain’s Detroit Business” 2018 list of Notable Women in Manufacturing. SME’s 2017 President Sandra Bouckley, Vice President of SME’s Events & Industry Strategy Debbi...

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Jan 25, 2018

California’s manufacturing industry has traditionally been vibrant, with the state having the largest manufacturing output in the U.S. It is host to giant firms such as Apple, McKesson, Chevron, Alphabet, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and Cisco Systems, but it is also home to tens of thousands of sm...

blog article

Jan 24, 2018

Manufacturing executives all over the world are looking at IIoT/Industry 4.0 (Industrial Internet of Things) as a way to transform their business. They understand the potential of the technology that can drive better overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), drive process improvements and reduce waste ...

blog article

Jan 23, 2018

Life science industries, such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, are constantly analyzing and creating innovations to further help and take care of people. A component manufacturing company such as Axenics can provide simple and complex individual components that life science OEMs requir...

blog article

Jan 23, 2018

Additive manufacturing (AM) is disrupting the traditional way of manufacturing. AM transforms everything from the assembly line to logistics to the way personnel is trained. Likewise, industrial robotics has had a profound impact on manufacturers, touching nearly every portion of the business.

blog article

Jan 22, 2018

On the drive through the rural outskirts of Jackson, the importance of manufacturing to the economy of Mississippi was not immediately obvious. Yet manufacturing represents over 15% of the output of the state, above the national average and higher than 70% of other states. And it is on the rise.

blog article

Jan 19, 2018

This is a 1979 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the first year the model appeared with its Schwarzeneggerian robustness, which happens to be incased in a block of amber-colored resin:   Unlike the insects that are sometimes found encased in actual amber, objects that you can hold in your hand, this ...

blog article

Jan 18, 2018

For manufacturers throughout California and across the country, the new year brings new challenges and a wealth of new opportunities. But to take advantage of these opportunities, manufacturers of all sizes need to be aware of emerging trends and willing to adapt to them. From the widespread accepta...

blog article

Jan 17, 2018

2017 had its share of ups and downs, challenges and opportunities. But for many manufacturers, it was another banner year. In California, the manufacturing sector continues to drive the economy. Manufacturing now accounts for nearly 11.5 percent of The Golden State’s total output, while employ...

blog article

Jan 17, 2018

Engineering complex systems involves unifying multiple disciplines, which often operate in silos and use a wide range of incompatible tools. Engineering for the Internet of Things (IoT) demands even more interconnections. Virtual prototyping with a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach &nd...

blog article

Jan 17, 2018

Historically, a manufacturer’s information technology department and its team of automation production engineers have typically operated in isolation. Their functions didn’t necessarily overlap and the two were often overseen by separate management teams. However, the rise of smart manuf...

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Jan 17, 2018

Apple made a big splash on Wednesday afternoon when it announced that it expects to contribute $350 billion to the U.S. economy over the next five years, creating 20,000 new jobs. The company also announced that it will up its Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $5 billion, open a new Apple campus in a y...

blog article

Jan 16, 2018

Data-driven systems. Unique partnerships leading to increased productivity, efficiency and cost reductions. A changing landscape with a bigger focus on automation. Manufacturing’s outlook at the start of 2017 began a conversation on ways to propel the industry headfirst into the integrated, di...

blog article

Jan 15, 2018

Development in the manufacturing industry is becoming a huge issue. Many of the most skilled workers in manufacturing are retiring, and it’s getting harder and harder to find new young workers with the skills to replace them. What can we do to attract more talented people to the manufacturing ...

blog article

Jan 15, 2018

A new year brings new expectations and concerns—changing government policies, trade deals, tax structures and other risks, as well as the unrelenting pressure to reduce costs. For manufacturing CEOs, this means investing in technology to compete and win in the global marketplace. Being competi...

blog article

Jan 15, 2018

On February 7, Elon Musk, Tesla chairman and CEO, and Deepak Ahuja, chief financial officer, released the Tesla Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2017 Update letter to investors. A section of that letter has to do with production, so as that’s something that we know a little something about, here...

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Jan 13, 2018

A few days ago, Toyota and Mazda announced the city that will house their new $1.6B joint manufacturing facility: Huntsville, Alabama. While the choice might seem surprising, the plant will be situated less than 20 miles away from an existing Toyota engine plant, making logistical networks a key fac...

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Jan 12, 2018

The United States is the second largest exporter in the world, with exports reaching $1.42 trillion in 2016 and California contributing $163.6 billion in that same year. With California’s strategic Pacific Coast location, dynamic economy, and a throng of creative and diversified talents, expor...

blog article

Jan 09, 2018

Here’s what’s in store for small manufacturers in 2018. #1 Staffing will become more complex. #2 2018 will be the year to finally take cyber security seriously. #3 All-or-nothing retirement will fade into the past. #4 Manufacturing software and apps will be increasingly designed for usab...

blog article

Jan 09, 2018

Initiatives are currently being implemented around the world to change and improve how companies view their manufacturing process.  While these initiatives have varying names—from Made in China 2025 to Manufacturing Innovation 3.0—they all have several things in common- clean air, i...

blog article

Jan 08, 2018

The manufacturing industry has always been a hotbed for innovation and advancement — but it relies heavily on the workers who have the skills and training to fill those jobs. Experts have predicted more than 2 million manufacturing jobs will go unoccupied during the next 10 years, as the baby ...

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Jan 03, 2018

With public perception of manufacturing at an inflection point, research says roughly 8 in every 10 Americans view U.S. manufacturing as vital to maintaining economic prosperity. But, fewer than 5 in 10 Americans believe manufacturing jobs are interesting, rewarding, clean, safe, stable and secure. ...

blog article

Jan 03, 2018

Will 2017 be remembered as the year 3D printing matured beyond prototyping to production? Ponder this quick compilation reporting the biggest, the best, or the most impressive from the following year. The terms “3D printing” and “additive manufacturing” are typically used syn...

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Dec 27, 2017

Although the auto industry uses a tremendous amount of 3D printing equipment, one avoids referring to it as “additive manufacturing” for the simple reason that “manufacturing” sounds like repetitive processing of goods in non-trivial volume, and given (1) the throughput of th...

blog article

Dec 26, 2017

Welcome to the second installment of FuzeHub’s “Industry Insight” series. In these periodic blog posts, we take a look at selected manufacturing industries of strategic importance to New York State-in this case, the manufacturing of train, subway, and transit cars. Read on to learn...

blog article

Dec 22, 2017

The global aerospace and defense (A&D) industry grew by 2.4% and generated about $674 billion in 2016, according to a Deloitte 2017 study. California alone was responsible for generating $62 billion a year in revenue in 2014, according to a 2014 California Aerospace Industry Economic Impact Stud...

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Dec 20, 2017

This month, manufacturers from Long Island to Buffalo were awarded grants from Empire State Development and other New York State agencies to assist with capital expansion, worker training, and other growth needs. On December 13th, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the results of the annual Regional...

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Dec 13, 2017

Engineers and metallurgists may no longer have to trade strength for ductility when choosing structural metals thanks to 3D printing techniques. 3D printing remains very topical with innovations seemingly in the news every day. From the materials being used to the revolutionary and generative design...

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Dec 12, 2017

California is a leader in U.S. domestic agriculture. According to the 2015-2016 California Agricultural Statistics Review, the state bested Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, and Minnesota in crop cash receipts. California farmers and ranchers received more than an estimated $45 billion for more than 400 commod...

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Dec 11, 2017

Did you know that in 2016, for the first time in decades, more manufacturing jobs came back to the United States than left?  Did you know that 90% of US manufacturers are small businesses (<500 employees)?  Manufacturing output in the first quarter of 2017 was more than 80% above its le...

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Dec 08, 2017

Downtime is always the antagonist of manufacturing. A machine breaks on an automotive line for example, and it can cost as much as 20,000 dollars per minute. While new programs such as utilizing Industrial IOT for predictive maintenance are helping reduce downtime and overall equipment effectiveness...

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Dec 05, 2017

I realize that only us true manufacturing wonks will get all jazzed up about this epic historic event, but I believe that everyone in this country should celebrate this day the same as we do the 4th of July. Why should we? Well, I’ll tell you why. On Monday, December 5, 1791, the Secretary of ...

blog article

Dec 05, 2017

In growing a business, it is important to manage your costs however large or small. New York State has an abundance of programs to help companies become more energy efficient and save money. You may not see the energy you use, or where it comes from, but you see the costs associated with using that ...

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Dec 05, 2017

Today’s beverage manufacturers face many challenges: striving to meet the rapidly-changing demands of consumers and retailers, government regulations, efficiency, and expansion. Many beverage manufacturing companies also struggle with issues like supplier-to-customer supply chain traceability,...

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Nov 30, 2017

Federal labs are a wealth of resources for technology development, but small manufacturers rarely partner with them to advance their businesses. This FuzeHub blog post focuses on the labs of the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) and how manufacturers in New York State can take ...

blog article

Nov 30, 2017

It looks like manufacturing is coming back to the United States, but not in the way you might think. Although it felt like a futuristic novelty only a few years ago, 3D printing has exploded as a viable way to make products in all shapes, sizes and materials. This is opening up opportunities for mor...

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Nov 29, 2017

With the growth of millennial consumers buying furniture, U.S. furniture manufacturers are moderately optimistic about the steady increase in new furniture sales in the coming years. The National Association of Realtors forecasts existing-home sales growth of 4% for the residential property market i...

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Nov 20, 2017

Autoliv thought it had mastered lean manufacturing years ago. But the Swedish safety systems supplier discovered it was wrong. After 20 years of practicing the popular factory-management concept, which strives to reduce plant inventories and empower workers to stop a production line to fix quality p...

blog article

Nov 17, 2017

America has a very manufacturing-friendly president in the White House - at least rhetorically. But while we can’t tweet our way out of this, there are people looking at the future of manufacturing very closely. A couple of them gathered at the City Club of Cleveland on Friday afternoon to tal...

blog article

Nov 16, 2017

While the base technology for Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing was developed back in the nineteen-eighties, it’s become far more prevalent over the last ten years as advancements in capabilities grow, and prices dropped - reducing the barriers for entry. Early adopters used this technolog...

blog article

Nov 15, 2017

If the logistics and cost hurdles of powdered metals has kept you in the evaluation phase of additive manufacturing technology, newly available liquid metal 3D printing could get you in the flow. Vader Systems, LLC, a manufacturer of 3D metal printing machines located in Buffalo, NY recently announc...

blog article

Nov 15, 2017

Small to midsize manufacturers have to figure out their own path forward when it comes to embracing the next generation of technology. That's the word from Ned Hill, a professor at Ohio State University, who shared his insights on what he calls Manufacturing 5.0 at Magnet's State of Manufact...

blog article

Nov 15, 2017

There’s no question the digital manufacturing revolution is racing at us. As a small or medium-sized manufacturer, how close are you to already being “smart”? Here are five steps in the journey to becoming a smarter digital enterprise.

blog article

Nov 15, 2017

At PacMoore we strive to create a workplace that employees can come to every day and feel safe, valued and needed. My part in this goal is to ensure employee safety. It’s not an easy thing to accomplish, but it is critical to who we are as a company. Food manufacturing companies like PacMoore ...

blog article

Nov 13, 2017

New writing staff and expanded industry events anticipate a transition from four print issues per year to six, starting in 2018. Founded in 2012 as the first magazine devoted to industrial applications of 3D printing technology, Additive Manufacturing is making a series of moves designed to provide ...

blog article

Nov 09, 2017

Well here’s a big juicy 3D printing story to end the week on. After entering the 3D printing market last year with its Jet Fusion 3D printer, printing giant HP has jumped right into the center of the additive manufacturing world. Although the pricy Jet Fusion has mostly been used by big compan...

blog article

Nov 09, 2017

The market research report helps analyze the 3D Printing Medical Devices market on a global basis and also offers forecast and statistics in terms of revenue for the anticipated forecast period 2017 to 2022. This research study offers a detailed overview of the market dynamics that are expected to a...

blog article

Nov 07, 2017

Since the Wright brothers first launched their wood and canvas glider in the early 1900s, technology has improved dramatically, making international travel and space exploration a reality. Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, is playing a major role in this revolution by reducing wei...

blog article

Nov 07, 2017

This blog is a continuation of a multi-part blog series, following up the previous installment titled The Role of 3D Printing Software in Realizing the Dream of Advanced Digital Manufacturing. If you haven’t checked out that one yet, do yourself a favor and go read it. It will put into context...

blog article

Nov 06, 2017

According to a recent survey based report, it is come to know that 3D technology will allow the manufacturer to double the mass production level. It will enable the producers to reach their targets without increasing each unit production cost.It will also reduce the shipping costs as a local manufac...

blog article

Nov 02, 2017

The differences across the states were quite large and I suggested that much of that variation was a function of the mix of industries in each state.  While this mix may not be the absolute predictor for manufacturing growth, it is undoubtedly an important and interesting factor to consider whe...

blog article

Nov 02, 2017

On Manufacturing Day, with the World Series approaching, we started talking about what baseball would be like without manufacturing. And while the series is almost over (and a 68-year or 108-year curse about to be broken!), we're still talking about it today. So we thought it would be interestin...

blog article

Nov 01, 2017

First, there was the steam engine. Then the assembly line. Now the manufacturing industry is undergoing yet another industrial revolution with Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0, or the Fourth Industrial Revolution, focuses on making manufacturing operations easier by adding technologies that integrate syst...

blog article

Nov 01, 2017

As we head into a new year it is a good time to take a look at the coming year and see what it may hold in the way of trends. We kick off today a month-long focus on trends in the following categories: Manufacturing, Manufacturing Technology, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Transportation Management. W...

blog article

Nov 01, 2017

The outsourcing of manufacturing over the past decade has not only led to millions of lost jobs, it also is putting American innovation at risk — and America is not doing enough to compete. That’s one of the findings from a new report issued by the National Academies of Sciences, Enginee...

blog article

Oct 31, 2017

Global trade, the merchandise exports component of which was about US$15.5 trillion in 2016, according to World Trade Organisation (WTO) data, is expected to shrink by at least half over the next half century due to 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM). In tandem would be global value chains (...

blog article

Oct 31, 2017

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker was in Portland, Oregon at a Makers Gone Pro Event. Secretary Pritzker spoke to recent high school graduates pursuing technical careers and joined 100 students at the Lam Research Facility, the world’s second-largest semiconductor equipment manufacture...

blog article

Oct 31, 2017

3D printing technology is often heralded as a digital manufacturing technology. And for some reason, this really gets a lot of people excited. What’s the big deal? 3D printing takes a digitally designed ‘part’ in the form of a converted CAD file and then makes the part in an automa...

blog article

Oct 31, 2017

I’m excited to announce that Cisco will have a presence at SPS Drives this year to showcase our network solutions with our partner, HOPF. HOPF is a solution provider based in Germany that offers a range of products and services to industry.

blog article

Oct 27, 2017

Stainless steel is incredibly durable, but dirt and other contaminants can cause it to break down and deteriorate. However, implementing the proper cleaning methods can help to ensure durability and longevity for the stainless-steel parts and equipment in your plant. Power washers are used as a gene...

blog article

Oct 26, 2017

The facility - which is the first certified organic, humane, animal-welfare focused chick hatchery in the United States - is an example of trailblazing a new approach to traditional food processing. Not only does it employ fascinating and cutting-edge technology, but this project contains lessons fo...

blog article

Oct 26, 2017

Although manufacturing has long been considered an energy-intensive industry, this trend has begun to change. Between 2010-2014, U.S. manufacturing energy consumption is estimated to have increased by 4.7%, according to the Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS) released in October 2017.

blog article

Oct 25, 2017

This week I had the pleasure of attending a forum on U.S. rail infrastructure hosted by the House Manufacturing Caucus and the OneRail Coalition, where a panel of representatives from across the rail industry promoted the advancement and modernization of railroads in the United States. Sen. Chris Co...

blog article

Oct 25, 2017

Manufacturing of the Kinect has shut down. Originally created for the Xbox 360, Microsoft’s watershed depth camera and voice recognition microphone sold ~35 million units since its debut in 2010, but Microsoft will no longer produce it when retailers sell off their existing stock. The company ...

blog article

Oct 25, 2017

Deciding whether and when to invest in production tooling is no simple matter. For starters, there’s the initial investment cost, which in some cases might exceed that of a luxury sports car. Add to that the months of waiting, the risk of downstream design changes, associated rework costs (ass...

blog article

Oct 24, 2017

Although I believe Manufacturing Day is an everyday affair, the official 2017 Manufacturing Day has come and gone. On October 6, modern-day manufacturing was showcased to students, teachers, parents, prospective employees, elected officials, and more at over 2,800 separate events across the country....

blog article

Oct 23, 2017

What?? Is that a typo? A mistake? Isn’t PacMoore a dry ingredient contract manufacturer? Dry blending, extrusion, spray drying, consumer packaging? We have developed an expertise in handling liquids as we have used our spray drying system to process them into functional dry powders. And as we ...

blog article

Oct 23, 2017

Stratasys is the leader in 3D printing technology, which means they are constantly looking for more ways to expand their printer and material lineup. With more options than ever before, selecting the right technology can be overwhelming. That's why we're here to help you understand your diff...

blog article

Oct 23, 2017

Founded in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the University of Michigan, H3D, Inc. offers high-performance gamma-ray spectrometers and imagers for the defense, nuclear power, chemical, and medical industries. The company consists of just over 20 employees, with about...

blog article

Oct 19, 2017

San Francisco once was one of America’s great manufacturing cities, home to factories that made everything from Levi’s jeans to consumer electronics. But like many cities, San Francisco offshored much of its manufacturing beginning in the 1970s and 1980s. While there are still about 600 ...

blog article

Oct 19, 2017

When it comes to food manufacturing, success is directly related to maximizing materials and ingredients and appropriately aligning supply with demand. And if you aren’t investing in material requirements planning (MRP), then it’s virtually impossible to encourage sustainable growth. For...

blog article

Oct 18, 2017

Critical Manufacturing recently hosted a webinar on ‘Planning for Future Unknowns in Semiconductor Manufacturing’. The session was introduced by Julie Fraser, Principal of Iyno Advisors Inc and co-presented by Scott Van Etten, Program Manager for the High Performance NAND Test Laboratory...

blog article

Oct 18, 2017

A story in the Washington Post suggests President Trump is being presented with bogus information on the negative social impacts of a weakened manufacturing sector – and that this info has been used to shape the president’s opinions on international trade. Well, I’m not going to go...

blog article

Oct 18, 2017

I recently visited one of our EMS customers in China. We have been working with this customer for several years on various traceability applications for their electronic manufacturing lines. They just acquired a new project from a high-value customer who uses direct-part-marked electronic components...

blog article

Oct 18, 2017

I recently visited one of our EMS customers in China. We have been working with this customer for several years on various traceability applications for their electronic manufacturing lines. They just acquired a new project from a high-value customer who uses direct-part-marked electronic components...

blog article

Oct 17, 2017

The era of digital transformation is upon us – from exciting new technologies in digital manufacturing to powerful new opportunities to create meaningful connections with customers through the Internet of Things (IoT), digital transformation is changing all aspects of the manufacturing busines...

blog article

Oct 15, 2017

The manufacturing industry in the U.S. is ripe for a new industrial revolution, and artificial intelligence and robotic automation are set to play a key role in that change. Because manufacturing is a major driving force in a nation’s economic prosperity, it is especially important that small ...

blog article

Oct 12, 2017

Smart manufacturing trends in 2017 indicate that a radical transformation in the manufacturing sector is taking place. In a report by global market research firm BCC Research, the global market for smart manufacturing is expected to grow from $159 billion in 2015 to $392 billion by 2020 at a compoun...

blog article

Oct 12, 2017

Additive manufacturing, or AM, is on a fast path to revolutionizing the advanced manufacturing industry by changing the way companies make products. Whether it is the first FDA-approved, 3-D-printed drug or complex fuel nozzles for airplanes, Ohio is leading the way when it comes to making those inn...

blog article

Oct 10, 2017

If you are a startup or early-stage manufacturer who is not utilizing New York’s business growth and development resources, you could be losing a significant competitive advantage. Not sure if your company qualifies or wondering which organizations can help you? The experts at FuzeHub can answ...

blog article

Oct 09, 2017

Manufacturing’s role is changing and evolving in ways that make the traditional methods of creating products and services outdated. As manufacturing enters a dynamic new era, policymakers need new approaches and improved capabilities to save on costs while meeting the changing needs of a new c...

blog article

Oct 09, 2017

So even if we brought back those assembly jobs, chances are good that those who are unemployed won’t qualify for them. And that’s why we have what is called a skills gap. When I covered manufacturing for the Milwaukee Business Journal we would have round table discussions about this very...

blog article

Oct 09, 2017

Global solar PV manufacturing capacity expansion announcements in the first half of 2017 showed a significant increase over the second half of 2016. New plans almost reached the record heights set in the first half of 2016.

blog article

Oct 06, 2017

This Manufacturing Day post is for all the dreamers out there. For the young men and women who will imagine and invent things that will make the world a better place. And for the folks who will make those incredible things right here in America.

blog article

Oct 06, 2017

What has close to 3,000 events across the nation with more than a half million people learning about manufacturing careers and what gets made in communities across the country?  None other than Manufacturing Day (MFG Day).Sandwiched between National Walk to School Day (which my son’s elem...

blog article

Oct 05, 2017

Having a substantial competitive advantage in manufacturing is a goal that’s not easy to achieve, especially among thousands of aggressive rivals in the same industry. In an effort to gain traction against other manufacturers, many are turning to innovative manufacturing apps that allow them t...

blog article

Oct 04, 2017

Manufacturing USA is a network of 14 public-private institutes that each have a distinct technology focus but work toward the common goal of securing America’s future through manufacturing innovation, education, and collaborative research and development. Nationwide, Manufacturing Extension Pa...

blog article

Oct 04, 2017

Across the US, manufacturing is viewed as an essential sector to economic growth: 76% of Americans say they think the country needs to make more investments in the manufacturing industry. The persistent myth is that American manufacturing is in decline.

blog article

Oct 03, 2017

This technology is really the new kid on the block when it comes to making things. Originally only used for prototyping, the design “rules” were not really considered as parts that were 3D printed were designed for a completely different process and often just a quick way to get a physic...

blog article

Oct 03, 2017

According to the MFG Day website, "MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manuf...

blog article

Sep 29, 2017

I was at an end of summer family barbeque the other day, and two of my nephews, 16 and 20 years old, were in attendance. As the day progressed, they spent most of the day fixated on their phones, from watching YouTube videos of cats and playing games to tweeting and Instagramming photos.

blog article

Sep 29, 2017

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that the energy consumption of the U.S. manufacturing sector increased by 3.7% from 2010 to 2014. The increase seems insignificant but uncontrolled and further increases can pose additional challenges to energy management in manufacturing.

blog article

Sep 27, 2017

Training skilled workers are critical to strengthening the U.S. manufacturing sector, especially at a time when about 2 million manufacturing jobs are projected to remain unfilled, due to the worsening skills gap that is taking place throughout the country. For several years, manufacturers and manuf...

blog article

Sep 26, 2017

A developer of mold heating and cooling technologies, Roctool installed its large double-zone generator and its latest performance cooling units at the Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at ORNL for early stage R&D applications in automotive, aerospace, aircr...

blog article

Sep 25, 2017

Like five-axis machining, additive manufacturing’s adoption will accelerate as its best applications are identified. These metal parts were built on DMG MORI’s Lasertec 30 SLM powder-bed additive manufacturing machine. “Now, the same is true for additive manufacturing,” he sa...

blog article

Sep 23, 2017

Lowercase Eyewear needed a cost-effective way to produce eyewear in the United States. A Robotiq gripper on a UR5 collaborative robot arm enabled repeatable, consistent production so employees could work on more labor-intensive projects. At what point does it make sense to automate production? The f...

blog article

Sep 22, 2017

Over the past several years, the topic of SMART Manufacturing has been a conversation among industry experts, strategists, and thought leaders. However, despite its media coverage, many on the front lines of manufacturing aren’t quite sure what SMART Manufacturing entails or why it’s eve...

blog article

Sep 21, 2017

When it comes to racing dominance, one name sticks out above the rest: Team Penske. Their rich history dates all the way back to 1968. Team Penske signed a partnership with Stratasys in February to further the advancement of additive manufacturing into their racing programs. One area of great intere...

blog article

Sep 20, 2017

Choosing the right technology for your application is a critical decision, as the wrong selection can result in serious setbacks both fiscally and in production.  As a manufacturer, you should assess the best technology and product to meet your specific application needs.  At a minimum, th...

blog article

Sep 18, 2017

We published this blog on manufacturing apps just a little over a year ago.  Since it has proven to be one of our most popular blogs of all time, we decided to update, expand and republish it. In fact, Manufacturing Business Technology predicts that manufacturers will increase their use of mobi...

blog article

Sep 18, 2017

A combination of selective laser melting and NiTi material enabled the creation of plates matched to both the shape and stiffness of natural bone. Traditionally, fixation plates—the implants used to support damaged bone as it heals—are manufactured to standard sizes, most commonly from T...

blog article

Sep 18, 2017

In three of the last four years the number of national manufacturing establishments grew according to the U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns, which may be a surprising but welcomed trend. As NIST MEP regional managers, we examined this trend as it related to the Pacific Northwest region and...

blog article

Sep 18, 2017

Additively manufactured medical devices are increasingly being used in a number of applications including dental frameworks, spinal and craniomaxillofacial (CMF) implants and orthopaedics. When manufacturing medical devices, additive manufacturing (AM) offers the ability to produce parts with comple...

blog article

Sep 18, 2017

We start the packaging tips with focusing on the quality of boxes you use. Be careful if you choose to reuse old packaging. Cardboard boxes are easily damaged and provide much less protection if they are. Before shipping your package, you should feel comfortable that your item is secure and box is s...

blog article

Sep 14, 2017

John Hart is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Here he discusses the role of academic institutions in driving the additive manufacturing industry forward. Manufacturing is arguably more important and exciting than ever; it is critical to e...

blog article

Sep 14, 2017

The research Project FADO develops an additive manufacturing technique that uses a laser application and is capable of reducing the amount of material required to manufacture components by 30%. The robotised cell that performs the additive manufacturing process can handle any geometrical form by mak...

blog article

Sep 14, 2017

Manufacturers are reinventing their industries by applying new technology.  A report by CapGemini finds that new tech manufacturing in the form of smart factories will revolutionize manufacturing and by 2022 will drive productivity increases by as much as seven times.  Smart factories are ...

blog article

Sep 14, 2017

Today marks the launch of our new white paper The New MES: Backbone of Industry 4.0. Many companies are planning to implement Industry 4.0 as part of their future manufacturing strategy, but how can MES play a foundational role and help gain the benefits? Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) have a...

blog article

Sep 14, 2017

The rise of small-scale manufacturing in urban areas is one of the defining trends of the industry today, and the increased prevalence of facilities in cities speaks volumes about the needs, wants and preferences of the modern manufacturer.

blog article

Sep 14, 2017

Western manufacturers have been through a lot in the past several decades: globalization, labor unrest, underinvestment, an aging workforce. The effects have been impossible to escape. The United Kingdom’s manufacturing base has contracted by two-thirds since the 1980s, while the United States...

blog article

Sep 12, 2017

Compared to urban areas, in 2015, manufacturing represented a greater share of both private nonfarm rural jobs (14 percent vs. 7 percent) and rural earnings (21 percent vs. 11 percent). A new report from USDA’s Economic Research Service, Rural Manufacturing at a Glance, examines the manufactur...

blog article

Sep 12, 2017

An engineering modification that would have been impractical or cost-prohibitive in the past is realized on a machine tool performing metal 3D printing and machining in the same cycle. GE is perhaps the major manufacturing company most closely associated with the advance of additive manufacturing (A...

blog article

Sep 12, 2017

In the last few months, I’ve seen clear signs that some 3D printing shops and makers of additive manufacturing equipment intend to compete with injection molding. I am asked fairly frequently whether additive manufacturing (AM)—or 3D printing, as it’s often called—is going to...

blog article

Sep 12, 2017

Modest and massive production runs alike require an eye for detail and optimization. Your process should, for example, provide the opportunity for your machines to run as uninterrupted as possible. Machines are machines, though. What about the human element? Wherever possible, you should have standa...

blog article

Sep 12, 2017

Today, students at the Anthropological Institute of the University of Zurich use Stratasys 3D printers to study the skull fragments of Neanderthal infants. To cut down on handling fragile fossils, the students scan them and reproduce 3D printed models that can stand up to frequent handling and that ...

blog article

Sep 11, 2017

The "internet of things" offers the potential to connect trading partners, production facilities, products and consumers in ways that can provide visibility and value up and down the supply chain. Within the manufacturing enterprise, the "industrial internet of things" and relate...

blog article

Sep 11, 2017

Today, a new and exciting technology – continuous manufacturing (CM) – can truly transform the drug manufacturing process so that it is more reliable and efficient. We discussed in a previous blog how CM enables a much faster and more reliable manufacturing process. In some cases, manufa...

blog article

Sep 11, 2017

Product manufacturing information, or PMI, is critical to digital inspection reporting. PMI is any non-geometric data included within a 3D CAD file. Rather than relying on 2D drawings or digital documents to convey engineering or manufacturing data, it can all be embedded within the original CAD fil...

blog article

Sep 07, 2017

In this new age of 3D printing, we’ve seen more and more applications where the marriage of conventional manufacturing methods with additive manufacturing has led to amazing custom parts. CNC Machining has proved to be another tool 3D printing customers can take advantage of for optimized part...

blog article

Sep 07, 2017

The digital factory has many names: smart factory, the factory of the future and the industry 4.0. To John Dulchinos, Jabil’s Vice President of Digital Manufacturing, “these definitions speak to an environment where data is pervasive and actionable. They allow people and machines to work...

blog article

Sep 06, 2017

It’s impossible to overrate the value of shop-floor safety. Above all, there’s the commitment to protect plant workers from production hazards. Then there’s the need to be regulations-compliant and protect corporate reputation. Safety keeps the lines productive, protected against a...

blog article

Sep 06, 2017

When we think of champions of manufacturing today we tend to think of some of the big companies such as IBM, 3M, Johnson & Johnson, P&G and Dow Chemical. But companies don’t form themselves, and patents don’t automatically mean innovation – people do. When companies were ve...

blog article

Sep 06, 2017

While many plastics processors bemoan the difficulty of finding qualified workers to hire, some processors are doing something about it. One of them is contract manufacturer Mack Molding, Arlington, Vt., whose apprenticeship program is yielding a steady stream of skilled recruits. Recruits typically...

blog article

Sep 06, 2017

When we think of champions of manufacturing today we tend to think of some of the big companies such as IBM, 3M, Johnson & Johnson, P&G, and Dow Chemical. But companies don’t form themselves, and patents don’t automatically mean innovation – people do. Not all companies hav...

blog article

Sep 01, 2017

Since injection molding works a little bit differently—mainly faster—at Proto Labs, there are several questions we receive from customers about our unconventional approach to molding. Specifically, what are our capabilities when it comes production?

blog article

Sep 01, 2017

Manufacturing added 36,000 jobs last month. Dang, that’s not bad. In an otherwise lackluster report a total of 156,000 created overall, the manufacturing sector had relatively robust growth. Since November 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics points out, it has created 155,000 new positions.

blog article

Aug 31, 2017

Test Devices Inc., a rotational testing systems and services provider, does this successfully with their Spin Testing For Manufacturing 101 eBook. They provide an in-depth but easy-to-understand look into the capabilities, processes and benefits of spin testing that would prove helpful to anyone inv...

blog article

Aug 31, 2017

When you think about German cars-be they a Golf or an S Class or something in between-chances are you have a sense that a fundamental characteristic of each and every vehicle is a certain higher level of technical proficiency than you might find in a car built by manufacturers located anywhere else ...

blog article

Aug 30, 2017

It’s been suggested that American manufacturing is dying, but who’s to blame? The most obvious culprits are those bloodthirsty millennials, whose victims range from chain restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings and Applebee’s to movies to America itself. If there’s one thing mill...

blog article

Aug 28, 2017

This month marks the 50th anniversary of Burt Munro setting the land speed record on a motorcycle. Munro used 1920, 1,000 CC Indian motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to set a record of 184.087 mph-a record that stands unbroken for its class to this very day. He was 68 years old when he...

blog article

Aug 25, 2017

New Jersey-based startup is rapidly expanding, combining automation with high-skilled labor. How? Through her New Jersey-based garment manufacturing startup, Suuchi Inc. It’s a design and apparel manufacturer for fashion brands, making knits and woven clothes and accessories for women, men, ki...

blog article

Aug 23, 2017

Quality management in manufacturing significantly contributes to a manufacturer's brand and bottom line. However, persistent challenges to quality management continue to trouble small and medium-sized manufacturing companies alike. The issues, of course, vary depending on the existing management...

blog article

Aug 23, 2017

Not since the age of the industrial revolution has there been a period in history where manufacturing has transitioned to new processes to the same extent. Manufacturers are using digital technologies to streamline complex processes to increase productivity and profitability. Streamlining long-estab...

blog article

Aug 23, 2017

A barrage of materials-compliance regulations is springing up worldwide, challenging manufacturers to be proactive in protecting revenues, avoiding fines, and maintaining product quality. Some, however, have transformed their approach to the regulations from a burdensome compliance “chore&rdqu...

blog article

Aug 23, 2017

Over the past two years, FuzeHub, under contract with NYSERDA, convened a steering committee of industry, academic, and government stakeholders to explore strategies to leverage existing strengths in New York State in the area of additive manufacturing. This month, NYSERDA and Empire State Developme...

blog article

Aug 22, 2017

Manufacturing as a culture is data driven. Talk to anyone who has worked in the industry for some time—from an operator leading a cell to a manufacturing executive—and they should be able to point to the numbers around output, efficiency, and productivity, among others. With this in mind...

blog article

Aug 22, 2017

Quality control remains a top priority and helps to ensure automobile manufacturers remain competitive, avoid liabilities and maximize profit. There are so many aspects involved in this broader process that it would take too long to list them all, but let’s review a few of the major quality co...

blog article

Aug 21, 2017

There are thousands of industrial chemicals. Some are used to make consumer goods, others to create energy, and some are even used in the production of other industrial chemicals. Which chemicals are most important for industrial manufacturing on a global scale?

blog article

Aug 16, 2017

Making injection mold tools for prototypes or low-volume production can be a complex and time-consuming operation, no matter who you use as a manufacturer. To make a tool in the fastest possible time requires cooperation between both the designer and the supplier. There are many steps a manufacturer...

blog article

Aug 16, 2017

I’ve been on a long-term quest to convince folks that productivity is important and not just something economists are concerned about. I’ve written about productivity a couple of times over the years (link is external), so when an MEP center director recently asked me to assemble some in...

blog article

Aug 15, 2017

Everyday vision comes with an extraordinary set of abilities – seeing color, detecting motion, identifying shapes and gauging distance and speed. According to Discover Magazine, neurons devoted to visual processing take up about 30 percent of the cortex in the human brain (that is compared to ...

blog article

Aug 15, 2017

Additive manufacturing has had a monumental influence on manufacturers across various industries. Some manufacturing companies were early adopters of the new technology–adapting and integrating it for their designs, products, and prototypes. These early adopters are now succeeding with additiv...

blog article

Aug 14, 2017

Industries and regulatory bodies across the world recognize the impact “greener” manufacturing practices could have on the earth. Over the last two decades, scientists have focused on creating more sustainable manufacturing practices in almost every field, from medicine to plastics to te...

blog article

Aug 14, 2017

It’s no secret that manufacturers are concerned about security. Recent events have shown that manufacturing is a rich target for threats that cause physical damage, facility downtime, and breaches of customer data and intellectual property.Recently, Cisco published the 2017 Midyear Cybersecuri...

blog article

Aug 14, 2017

When most people think of the Middle East and the industry that dominates it, they think of the oil industry. But can the Middle East also become a hub for manufacturing like so many other parts of the world, especially with bankers and lenders like Fahad Al Rajaan leading the way towards innovation...

blog article

Aug 14, 2017

As the manufacturing industry becomes better connected, the frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks is rising. Research from the Global Threat Intelligence Centre analysing Q2 of this year has been released by NTT Security, and identifies trending threats as well as offering tips and tactics f...

blog article

Aug 12, 2017

The UK manufacturing industry has been enjoying a revival over recent years. Making up about a tenth of the UK economy, in April 2017, Britain’s factories had their fastest growth for three years. And the pressure is on to sustain this. In order to meet these expectations, manufacturers need t...

blog article

Aug 11, 2017

The Bureau of Statistics reported that 2.9 million workers were injured or became ill in 2015 while on the job. The reported figure represents an approximate rate of 3 cases per 100 employees, a slight improvement from the previous year's 3.2 figure. While this is good news, employers have a way...

blog article

Aug 09, 2017

A number of deals were announced at the Paris Air Show in June 2017 which are expected to contribute £3.3 billion to the UK economy and £35 billion to the global economy. Behind all these predictions, the aerospace industry has faced some difficulties in recent years resulting in cutback...

blog article

Aug 09, 2017

I recently blogged about the annual Gartner MESA survey and how it reveals that most manufacturers do not achieve the full value of their enterprise MES, or MOM systems, because they don’t start with a clear understanding of the value and benefits they are aiming for. Manufacturers tend to vie...

blog article

Aug 09, 2017

Every industry should be blogging, even – or especially –ones not always considered glamorous like manufacturing. Blogging is an excellent way to establish yourself as a leader in your niche, increase brand awareness, gain new clients and strengthen relationships with existing ones.

blog article

Aug 08, 2017

Data acquisition and data usage are giving manufacturers the opportunity to obtain and analyze data for supply chain, quality management, marketing, sales, and administration. This allows manufacturers to make well-informed decisions in real-time.  Although some manufacturers of various industr...

blog article

Aug 08, 2017

As we prepare for the launch of our next white paper, ‘The New MES: Backbone of Industry 4.0’, we would like to take a look back at the last one ‘Manufacturing Software for Industry 4.0’, which covered the 4 basics of Industry 4.0: Developed in Germany, I4.0, or the 4th Indus...

blog article

Aug 07, 2017

Noah Technologies works with manufacturers to supply high-purity industrial chemicals for use in coatings all over the U.S.A. Here are three advancements in the coatings space our chemists are keeping a close eye on. Noah Technologies is more than just an industrial chemicals provider – we&rsq...

blog article

Aug 06, 2017

No industry is immune to cyber attacks. According to the 2017 IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, the manufacturing sector was the second highest industry that experienced cyber attacks in 2016. The recent WannaCry ransomware attack is just one revelatory example of rising cyber crimes and the in...

blog article

Aug 04, 2017

The evolution from manual methods to advanced techniques (i.e. the creation of goods and services) has become a complex process, giving rise to a host of HR challenges in manufacturing. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) paints a positive outlook for the U.S. manufacturing industry.

blog article

Aug 03, 2017

Learning about Lean systems is often exciting and motivating for organizations eager to create sustainable long-term business success. One of the first things we all learn about Lean is that it was created in manufacturing, specifically within Toyota and the automotive industry. But, for those of us...

blog article

Aug 03, 2017

Looking back over the last decade, it is clear from the vantage point of 2017 that additive manufacturing (AM) has caused significant disruption in the medical sector. Indeed, in no other sector has AM had such a profound and dramatic effect on the human condition in terms of improving lives - wheth...

blog article

Aug 03, 2017

The industrial internet of things (IIoT) continues to grow in visibility and market hype, yet when you boil it down, IIoT is really about cost-effective instrumentation. It is now feasible to augment existing instrumentation with low-cost solutions that measure and monitor the performance of equipme...

blog article

Aug 01, 2017

Exports have helped Britain’s manufacturers push the latest purchasing managers index figure up 0.9 points to 55.1, a rate of acceleration not seen for three months. Manufacturing production increased for the twelfth successive month in July with the consumer goods sector witnessing the strong...

blog article

Aug 01, 2017

Founded in 1972, this Hudson Valley company has developed more products and systems than all of its competitors combined. Today, MPI Systems continues to innovate and embrace new technologies. In addition to wax injection systems, MPI uses integrated robotics technology to provide consistent, cost-e...

blog article

Jul 31, 2017

Manufacturing is a hot topic again, undergoing the industry’s greatest change in more than 100 years. Domestic jobs have evaporated from many countries with globalization, offshoring may be reverting to near shoring and automation threatens to replace more workers every day. The way we build a...

blog article

Jul 28, 2017

Shops are moving to data-driven manufacturing step by step. One of these steps is to access and manage cutting tool data with cloud-based, vendor-neutral databases and applications such as MachiningCloud. A review of this development shows what implementing Industry 4.0 might look like. Currently, t...

blog article

Jul 28, 2017

The growing adoption of additive manufacturing means that IP rights holders are taking ever more interest in the implications for the protection of their assets. Rem Noormohamed and Marco Müller-ter Jung - of international law firm DWF LLP - explain the English and German law positions.If someo...

blog article

Jul 27, 2017

There's a lot of hype about digital transformation, the industrial internet of things (IoT), and Industry 4.0 but is it possible to take advantage of these megatrends quickly and effectively? We say... Yes! But why should you be looking to augment your existing on-premise systems with cloud and ...

blog article

Jul 25, 2017

Companies that migrate to a cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution quickly experience the benefits of scalability and cost-efficiency that were previously only possible through expensive on-premise solutions. So it’s no surprise a recent report from IDC predicts that by 2021, worldw...

blog article

Jul 24, 2017

Manufacturing is a fixture of economies across the globe and as the world’s oldest industry it has seen and adapted to more changes than most. Now, the industry finds itself adjusting to further change as it fuses itself together with the fourth industrial age – the digital revolution. T...

blog article

Jul 22, 2017

According to Exact, a creator of business software for SMEs, American manufacturers are already responding to the current administration’s regulatory industry plans and are generally optimistic about the current and future market. The independent survey commissioned by Exact examines the impac...

blog article

Jul 21, 2017

Aside from its sloth, the main complaint about using additive manufacturing techniques to produce metallic components is the fact that the resulting part almost always needs additional work to make it suitable for the intended application. So it’s good news that we now have a variety of &ldquo...

blog article

Jul 21, 2017

Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS), also called Automotive Steel, are sophisticated carbon-iron engineering alloys with carefully selected chemical compositions, produced from precisely controlled heating and cooling processes. Several automotive manufacturers demand the best strength, ductility, ...

blog article

Jul 20, 2017

Your manufacturing network has within it the capability to package 30 percent more products each year – by unlocking speed limitations caused by ‘the nature of your product’. Like many manufacturing companies, your products probably require some weighing, measuring, separation and ...