News

Preventing Degradation of Quench Oils in the Heat Treatment Process

Originally Posted by Greg Steiger Introduction Because quench oil deterioration varies depending on the operating conditions, maintaining constant performance is difficult. Various phenomena occur in response to changes in the quench oil degradation. In this paper, we will examine how the... Continue Reading

Employee Training Critical to Cybersecurity

Damaging, high-profile corporate data breaches haven't stopped employees—CEOs included—from clicking on questionable links, downloading unauthorized software, and engaging in other risky behavior that exposes their companies to cybercrime. Even as e-mail phishing attacks increase,... Continue Reading

How Manufacturers can Manage Growing Cybersecurity Risks

With a heavy reliance on technology and the advent of Industry 4.0, today’s manufacturing companies are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. From design and supply chain to component manufacturing, assembly, and shipping, manufacturers are increasingly reliant on enterprise resource... Continue Reading

Today’s Optimized Facility

Advancements in plant and manufacturing facilities offer managers an array of solutions for top performance. Optimizing facility operations requires keeping up with smart storage concepts, productive lift trucks, enhanced data collection, operator proficiency, and best practices for material... Continue Reading

Manufacturers Invest in Cybersecurity to Protect Intellectual Property

INDUSTRY AMONG MOST TARGETED BY ATTACKERS By making a significant investment in cybersecurity, West Michigan manufacturers can avoid having their sensitive information getting into the wrong hands. Just ask Jessica Dore, a principal in technology risk management in Grand Rapids at accounting and... Continue Reading

Actionable Steps to Prepare for the Industry 4.0 Era

Companies that build the ability to collect, refine, and act on data will ultimately lead the Industry 4.0 disruption. Start building a data-driven organization now by bridging the skills gap. The promise of Industry 4.0 is centered around the way we collect, store, process, and analyze data to... Continue Reading

Translating Safety

Too often corporate leaders and safety professionals speak very different languages. Learn how to overcome this language barrier. I recently consulted with a group of safety professionals who wanted help explaining to their corporate leaders how their function added value to the organization.... Continue Reading

Ghost in the Machine: Robotic Process Automation and the Digital Workforce Revolution

The manufacturing industry is in the midst of a digital renaissance, broadly known as Industry 4.0. In this age of advanced machinery and computers, companies have become increasingly reliant on automation technologies such as robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial... Continue Reading

Boeing, Airbus Strain to Deliver the New Jets They Have Promised – Update

Boeing Co. and Airbus SE, swamped with orders for new jets, are struggling to deliver them all on time - in some cases angering customers and delaying payments. Airbus has missed a number of deadlines for deliveries, forcing airline customers to find alternatives, change routes, or cancel... Continue Reading

Why Did it Fail? Breaking Down Asset Failures

KEEP, TRACK, AND TREND FAILURE CAUSES TO OPTIMIZE YOUR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. The study of failure for the purpose of improving asset reliability in a maintenance program starts with the relationship that failure has with function. At the highest level in the reliability structure, equipment and... Continue Reading

Hacking the Factory Floor: Cybersecurity in Smart Manufacturing

When you think of hacking, you might think of viruses or ransomware attacks where computers are unable to operate unless a bitcoin is paid to an anonymous cybercriminal. In the manufacturing sector, the reality isn’t quite so public. First, the practical physical realities of the industrial... Continue Reading

Consumer Confidence Running Strong

Americans have stepped up their purchases in recent months, which is encouraging given some hesitance in opening their wallets earlier in the year. Indeed, personal spending increased by 0.3% in July, extending the 0.4% gains seen in both May and June. Overall, consumer spending has remained a... Continue Reading