The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that manufacturers added 25,000 workers in December, extending the strong hiring gains in the sector seen throughout much of 2017. Manufacturing employment rose by 16,333 per month on average in 2017—quite a turnaround from the loss of 16,000 workers... Continue Reading
Every day you wake up as a heat treater, you are faced with the challenging task of working through the monumental task of heat treat specifications. Specifications are a much needed set of documents, within the quality process, to insure good products are delivered, but it doesn’t make the... Continue Reading
The road to manufacturing success today runs through the mountain of data that tools are generating in metal cutting applications, and most importantly communicating and reacting to in real-time on the shop floor. Keys to collecting data include: sensor technology, that is built into tools and... Continue Reading
Simpler, more integrated bots on the way Industrial robots are poised for change. They will become more integrated, easy to use, and widely deployed, especially in China, which is emerging as a center of robotics innovation. Large fulfillment operations run by the likes of Alibaba and Amazon... Continue Reading
Manufacturers want to jump-start growth. Digital opportunities offers a fresh approach to manufacturers who are ready to try new service offerings, target new niche markets, and expand product offerings around data and connectivity. New technologies offer exciting ways to focus on innovation and... Continue Reading
The concept of 3D printing isn’t a new one. In fact, it’s been around for more than 30 years – long before it became popular in consumer settings. In discrete industries, like automotive and aerospace, we call it additive manufacturing – the process of creating something... Continue Reading
The third principle of scheduling is that the advance maintenance schedule should be crafted for a week. The week-long time frame is the best for maximizing productivity through goal-setting. This schedule consists largely of a simple listing or “batch” of work orders that... Continue Reading
QUALITY AND LEAN INITIATIVES MUST BE LINKED. It did not happen quickly but advocates of Six Sigma and Lean methodologies have worked together to achieve a partnership of both approaches. While Lean Manufacturing focuses on waste reduction, Six Sigma stresses process variation improvement. They... Continue Reading
How do supply chain managers keep up with the Industry 4.0 revolution that’s decentralizing production through on-demand products and technologies like 3D printing? Design-rich experience and immediate product delivery are the new normal in consumer demand, which is forcing radical... Continue Reading
How a new generation of sophisticated robots is changing business We’ve long seen robots in industry, handling repetitive tasks and heavy machinery. But new technologies are moving robots out of the warehouse and into the office: Collaborative and service robots are already helping firms... Continue Reading
The latest NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey reflected continued optimism in the sector, with the headline index rising to unprecedented heights. Indeed, 94.6% of respondents said they are positive about their own company’s outlook, the highest in the survey’s 20-year history.... Continue Reading
Why standards and consistency are key for peak performance in a lean initiative. Earlier this year we explored the importance of four basic building blocks for success in lean manufacturing (“4 Building Blocks for Lean Manufacturing,” March 2017) and how technology can make success... Continue Reading
