News

DR 101: The Disaster Recovery Plan and Disaster Recovery Strategy

We walk through the key steps and essential building blocks required to develop a disaster recovery strategy and how to write a disaster recovery plan. The main aim of IT disaster recovery planning is to generate a detailed recovery plan that can be executed upon in the case of an unforeseen... Continue Reading

Lessons for Building the Connected Worker

The connected worker is proactive not reactive. Timely data, automation, and information mean their attention is redirected toward more valuable activities like continuous improvement. You might have noticed smartphones and wearable technology made for the average consumer now being integrated... Continue Reading

With a Hot Summer Ahead, Don’t Let Energy Procurement Make You Sweat

With summer fast approaching, it’s prudent to examine the factors that determine the price of electricity and natural gas supply throughout the United States. Summer is typically a “demand” season – a season where the energy needs of the country necessitate that we expend... Continue Reading

Adopt or Die: AI Leaves Manufacturing No Choice

Artificial intelligence is positioning itself as the transformative technology of the century. The speed at which it is improving manufacturing operations leaves the industry with two options: Embrace the machines or get left behind. It's difficult to identify exactly what Stephen Hawking will be... Continue Reading

NAM Economic Report

There were continuing signs of strength in the U.S. manufacturing sector in the latest data. For instance, the IHS Markit Flash U.S. Manufacturing PMI inched up to 56.6 in May, its strongest expansion pace since September 2014. Employment and future output helped to lift the overall headline... Continue Reading

5 Reasons Why ERP Needs MES

There’s a symbiotic relationship between MES and ERP systems. Your competitive advantage depends on the integration of data from the shop floor up. For more than 10 years I have been following a number of companies in the implementation of manufacturing execution systems (MES). My... Continue Reading

Advanced Plastics Make Tomorrow’s Vehicles More Efficient, Affordable, and Attractive

A look at how selecting the right plastic can reduce material and manufacturing costs while improving durability. When engineering-grade resins were introduced in the 1950s, some auto manufacturers were unfamiliar with the benefits of metal-to-plastic conversion, i.e. how to design plastics into... Continue Reading

MTI’s Upcoming Live Webcast on Recent ASTM Meeting Actions

Over the last several ASTM meetings, MTI has become very active in the discussion surrounding the usage of portable hardness testers and direct verification. These issues are being debated as well at AMEC Committee meetings and Nadcap. MTI’s Technical Standards Committee has weighed in... Continue Reading

Using Condition-Based Maintenance to Optimize Smart Manufacturing Operations

Implementing condition-based maintenance (CBM) can help reduce equipment downtime, improve data collection, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Manufacturing companies have numerous challenges in operations management like operating below production capacity, low margins, and the... Continue Reading

Cyber-Security Issues: Risks and Liabilities

Aon’s Chad Pinson talks about how manufacturing must react to growing threats. In many ways, cyber-security is like the weather: everyone talks about it, but no one is doing anything about it. That has to change, suggested Chad Pinson of insurance giant, Aon’s cyber solutions... Continue Reading

NAM Manufacturing Production Growth Report

The Federal Reserve reported that manufacturing production rose 0.5% in April, bouncing back from being unchanged in March. Overall, the data continues to show healthy growth for manufacturers. Along those lines, the manufacturing production index has risen from 102.2 in April 2017 to 104.1 in the... Continue Reading

RFID and Lean Manufacturing Are a Perfect Pair

Companies that know manufacturing know Lean is the way to go, but even Lean operations might have some work to do if they’re not using the right tools. As far as advanced technology goes in the manufacturing sector, RFID is actually pretty simple. For just pennies each, radio frequency... Continue Reading