August, 2023

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5 steps to automation success in metal manufacturing

The Fabricator

Looking to automate your metal fabrication operations? Here's what your shop needs: foster a culture that embraces automation, identify your goals, pick a process that will have the greatest operational impact, and then communicate clearly and document comprehensively.

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The Finnish Startup CloEE Launches AI-powered SaaS for Discrete Manufacturing in the US

Manufacturing Tomorrow

Top Helsinki-based data-collection startup CloEE aims to lead industrial digitalization and sustainability tracking while capturing a significant share of the US market.

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Aluminum Etc.: The future looks bright for aluminum in manufacturing

The Fabricator

Gina Cutts says the future of aluminum in manufacturing looks promising as manufacturers rally around the positives rather than the negatives associated with aluminum products.

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States of Disrepair - Recent Developments in the “Right to Repair” Movement

Manufacturing.net

An update for manufacturers.

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Speeding Robotics Automation with AI

The $53 trillion manufacturing economy in the US is undergoing a major automation paradigm shift due to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Thanks to new practical frameworks, automation projects that were once impossible or inefficient to implement are now being fast-tracked, and robotics automation is becoming increasingly relevant to a growing number of users and scenarios.

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Supply Chain as a Service

Dinesh Mishra

What is supply chain as a service? Supply Chain as a Service (SCaaS) refers to a business model in which companies outsource certain or all aspects of their supply chain management to specialized service providers. These providers offer a range of services, such as warehousing, transportation, inventory management, order fulfillment, and logistics. The core idea behind SCaaS is to allow companies to focus on their core competencies while relying on experts to manage their supply chain operations

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Giant solar-powered butterfly visits Taunton, MA

Design World

The solar-powered butterfly is a 30-foot-long tiny house in the shape of a butterfly, which charges the electric vehicle it tows. The tour is focused on reaching millions of people, alerting them to the companies and individuals that are integral in transitioning societies away from fossil fuels towards clean energy technologies. Presently on a four-year… The post Giant solar-powered butterfly visits Taunton, MA appeared first on Design World.

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Europe's reliance on fossil fuel energy falls to record low, study finds

E&T

The amount of electricity that the EU generated from fossil fuels in 2023 has hit a record low, according to clean energy thinktank Ember. The 27-nation bloc produced 410TWh of electricity from polluting sources, amounting to 33 per cent of the EU’s total power in the first half of this year. This is the lowest amount based on available data. The drop in fossil fuel generation was driven by a 4.6 per cent (-61TWh) fall in demand for electricity, prompted by high gas and power prices, as well a

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Six months of growth for UK car production

SMMT

UK car production surges 31.6% in July marking sixth consecutive month of growth. Double digit rises in demand from overseas and UK, up 36.1% and 13.7% respectively. Year-to-date, factories turn out 526,619 cars, with volumes up 14.2% on first seven months of 2022. UK car production surged in July, rising 31.6% to mark the sixth consecutive month of growth, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 76,451 units rolled off factory li

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Have Digital Productivity Tools Failed Us?

Gary Mintchell

My latest podcast on YouTube. Do digital tools have the effect of adding more things to our plate rather than helping us get things done? Gary looks at how software helped him get productive and then seemed to bog down and still accomplish a lot, but it seems slower over all. Even more, what is more important—getting more done or doing what is impactful?

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Information in Manufacturing #1: Manufacturing Data Capture and Exchange

MESA

This article is the first in a series of articles on Information in Manufacturing by MESA's Smart Manufacturing Working Group. Ever heard of the phrase “data is the new oil?” It’s a common saying these days, and it’s true. Data has become increasingly important in today's manufacturing world, but what exactly is it?

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The Manufacturing Edge: Five Strategies to Outpace the Competition

The world of manufacturing is evolving—and so must the factories that drive it. This eBook reveals five transformative strategies that can help manufacturers gain a lasting competitive edge. Through insights from aerospace leaders, energy innovators, and the factories of tomorrow, we show how manufacturers are moving beyond traditional approaches. From building smarter, adaptable systems to embracing iterative design and fostering resilient cultures, these strategies are shaping the future of pr

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Smart engineering spares the grid and melts winter woes

Design World

Rooftop heat cables guard against the perilous effects of ice and snow accumulation. These strategically installed heat cables become hot when an electric current runs through them, and the radiated heat melts snow and ice to allow proper drainage. However, protecting roofs in this way incurs monetary and energy costs. Powder Watts has developed a… The post Smart engineering spares the grid and melts winter woes appeared first on Design World.

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Developing a Plan-Based Project Execution Model

Automation World

Huffman Engineering’s instrumentation and controls update at a city’s water treatment facility demonstrates the benefits of a deliberate process to establish clear communications and identify and mitigate known and unknown automation project risks.

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Kickstart: Plastics recycling 101

Plastics News

Plastics recycling 101 The community where I live, Van Buren Township, Mich., recently negotiated a new solid waste collection contract. The bad news is now we're paying $165.84 per year for service. It used to be free in exchange for hosting a landfill. But there's good news, too. We all received brand-new 64-gallon recycling carts for free! This is, by far, the biggest recycling container I've ever owned.

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How to Master the Art of Packaging

Robotics Automation News

Packaging is more than just a protective cover for products; it’s an art form that influences consumer perception, brand identity, and market success. Mastering the art of packaging requires a careful blend of creativity, functionality, and strategic thinking.

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Are You Over-Complicating Your Linear Motion or Leaving It Out Altogether?

As automation continues to evolve, the demand for smarter, more integrated solutions will only grow. The Accuride FULLELECTRIC® is a new approach to powered linear motion that represents the next evolution in system design. By integrating compact electric actuators directly into Accuride's industry leading drawer slides, this approach addresses the pain points of traditional systems while delivering reliable performance.

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Seeq, Databricks Partner to Accelerate IT-OT Data Convergence Across the Enterprise

Gary Mintchell

What can we say? It’s still all about data—collect, analyze, present, use. Seeq Corporation , a leader in advanced analytics for manufacturing, announced a partnership with Databricks, the data and AI company, that brings a native integration between each company’s platform to simplify access to high quality asset and process data, unify IT and OT data processing, and accelerate AI/ML adoption across the industrial manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and energy sectors.

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‘Technical issue’ causes travel chaos across UK airports

E&T

The UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) said the technical fault was “identified and remedied” on Monday evening, but “significant disruptions” are set to continue over the next few days as airlines work to clear the flight backlog. The technical problem was revealed at 12.15pm on Monday, causing staff to have to input flight plans manually until the automatic system was recovered at 3.15pm.

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Belden launches new solutions to boost uptime and improve network connectivity

Design World

Belden Inc., a global supplier of network infrastructure and digitization solutions, announces four new products and updates that are designed to maintain connectivity in rugged environments and ensure uptime. Data Acquisition & Transmission Belden OptiTuff Connectivity and Cable Management options support new field-termination connectivity for OptiTuff Mini Fiber Cables.

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Applying Digital Twins to Sustainability

Automation World

Siemens and Ecolab develop a partnership that combines the Ecolab3D IIoT platform with Siemens gProms advanced process modeling environment with digital twin technology at the center.

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How to Modernize Manufacturing Without Losing Control

Speaker: Andrew Skoog, Founder of MachinistX & President of Hexis Representatives

Manufacturing is evolving, and the right technology can empower—not replace—your workforce. Smart automation and AI-driven software are revolutionizing decision-making, optimizing processes, and improving efficiency. But how do you implement these tools with confidence and ensure they complement human expertise rather than override it? Join industry expert Andrew Skoog as he explores how manufacturers can leverage automation to enhance operations, streamline workflows, and make smarter, data-dri

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Plastics market researcher pain-free thanks to PE medical application

Plastics News

If Hollywood ever gets around to making a Plastic Man movie, Jeremy Pafford should get an audition for the main role. Pafford covered plastics markets for more than a decade for research firm ICIS. He recently posted a photo on LinkedIn about a medical procedure. "So I had a little work done in the past few weeks to unwind what has been a two-years-long pinched nerve in my neck," Pafford wrote.

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Duke vs. Texas Tech: A Clash of Titans in College Basketball

Robotics Automation News

Get prepared for an epic showdown as Duke vs. Texas Tech face off in a high-stakes college basketball in shape. This article explores the history, key players, techniques, and predictions for this thrilling sport. College basketball enthusiasts mark your calendars because an electrifying showdown is on the horizon.

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Has Digital Technology Failed Knowledge Worker Productivity?

Gary Mintchell

Managers drilled productivity concerns into me from the beginning of my official work life. One year while I attended university I was the “curtain hanger” in final finish department of Airstream, the manufacturer of high quality recreation vehicles. The goal was not only how many trailers made it out the back door per day but how many quality trailers made it out the back door every day.

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A3: North American robot orders drop for 2nd quarter in a row

Robotics Business Review

37% fewer robots were purchased in April through June of 2023 than during the same period of 2022, according to A3's latest report. The post A3: North American robot orders drop for 2nd quarter in a row appeared first on Robotics Business Review.

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Build & Own Scale-Ready Industrial IoT Solution on Flex83 Middleware

Your Industrial IoT software is never ready to scale unless your platform can handle multiple assets at enterprise-level, deploy on any cloud, and provide a modern tech stack for rapid application development with complete IP Ownership, all while reducing cloud operations costs by 90% per connected device. In the technical paper developed with the product team behind Flex83, find how you can build & own your custom IoT platform on the Flex83 Middleware that: Is Scale-ready for 65M+ Connected Ass

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Mitsubishi launches discounted repair program for MR-J3 Servo Amplifiers

Design World

Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc.’s MR-J3 Servo Amplifiers are highly flexible and designed to fit a wide range of applications while providing industry-leading technology and performance. Mitsubishi Electric recently announced that this product would enter its discontinuance phase in its lifecycle, meaning new unit stock is very limited and/or nonexistent.

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Digital Transformation Brings Both Increased Efficiency and Cybercrime

Automation World

Digitalization exposes manufacturing facilities to a higher risk of cyber attacks

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Dart closing Illinois plant, costing more than 100 jobs

Plastics News

The facility in Urbana, Ill., is slated to close later this year after the company works to complete customer orders.

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New pipeline proposed to export Scotland hydrogen to mainland Europe

E&T

The country already boasts one of the most developed wind power sectors globally – the energy can be used to produce carbon-neutral ‘green’ hydrogen, which is produced by splitting water via electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen. It also has access to considerable supplies of oil and gas in the North Sea. This can be used to make ‘blue’ hydrogen, which is not carbon neutral.

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6 Common Production Scheduling Mistakes Manufacturers Make

Effective shop floor production planning and execution can be challenging. Despite technological advancements and methodologies, many manufacturing production managers still encounter issues that result in late orders, cash flow difficulties, and dissatisfied customers. These challenges can disrupt operations, reduce efficiency, and impact overall profitability.

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Honeywell, Nuvation Energy Collaborate On Flexible Battery Management System

Gary Mintchell

My report from this summer’s Honeywell User Group included some new advances they are making with battery storage systems. The growth of wind and solar and other new forms of electricity generation that are not “always on” realizes better utility through methods of storing electricity to cover times when they are not generating. Honeywell’s new Ionic system steps up its utility.

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Time to refocus on vision of single trans-Tasman market

Manufacturer's Monthly

Comment Innes Willox – Chief Executive of the national employer association, Ai Group More Australian companies sell products to New Zealand than any other market. Yes, China is our biggest market by value, but that sits in the offices of just a few companies; more than 18,000 Australia companies rely on New Zealand customers for sales. When the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA or CER) was signed in 1983 it was ground breaking and held up as the e

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What’s innovation without usefulness?

Design World

By Mark Jones Detroit, or at least the Detroit Airport, has one clear advantage over other airports. This is thanks, I believe, to Ferruccio Ratti. Research was required to identify Ratti. All I had to go on was my observations of an innovation in action. Let me begin by saying I don’t like most of… The post What’s innovation without usefulness?

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Understanding the Robot vs. Cobot Choice

Automation World

As the line between industrial robot and collaborative robot (cobot) technologies blur, knowing the key capabilities of each robot type of critical to making the right selection for your business.

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Emergent Energy Optimizes Steam Systems with Panoramic Power’s Technology

Manufacturers face increasing pressure to curb energy waste and emissions. Emergent Energy specializes in optimizing industrial steam systems, leveraging Panoramic Power’s real-time energy intelligence to drive efficiency. By analyzing steam system performance, Emergent Energy pinpoints inefficiencies and implements targeted improvements. This article explores how data-driven steam optimization transforms wasted energy into measurable savings, ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations.