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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The global economy continues to show signs of strength, even as much of the recent data reflect some slowing in many markets, helping to boost international demand. In updated figures on TradeStats Express, U.S.-manufactured goods exports have risen 6.81% year-to-date through the first quarter... Continue Reading
There may not be many plants and warehouses operating in the dark these days. However, many facilities are clearly on the path to lights out, balancing automation and labor to find the right mix of lower costs and better customer service. Neither the concept nor the existence of a lights-out... Continue Reading
Automating the movement of materials within manufacturing operations is nothing new. Indeed, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), conveyors, sorters, and shuttles have been moving and handling materials, parts, and product for decades. But now, thanks to advancements in sensor technology, 3D camera... Continue Reading
