Until the middle of 2010, first-tier subcontract machinist, JJ Churchill, could produce turbine blades only if they had their fir-tree root-forms preground elsewhere, or if they were subsequently added by another subcontractor. No longer is this the case.
Micro components continue to shrink in size, demanding ever-greater precision and improved handling of parts with sub-micron-sized features. New approaches in micro machining technology include higher-precision systems from traditional micro machining developers, as well as techniques using additive manufacturing processes and semiconductor wafer-scale technology on the smallest of micro parts.
When you walk into the Redeye On Demand facility in Eden Prairie, MN, you enter into one version of the factory of the future. There you will see a bank of 100 high-end Fortus fused-deposition modeling (FDM) machines from Stratasys that provide the capacity to build real, functional parts with production-grade thermoplastics directly from CAD data.
Point Designs LLC, BuildParts by Cideas Inc. and Eaton take top spots in the annual competition.
A manufacturing execution system is often the first step for Industry 4.0 implementation, but most are optimized to serve OEMs. Pico MES Inc. is looking out for the little guy.
ABB Robotics expands manufacturing and training capabilities at Auburn Hills, Mich., facility.
Smart Manufacturing talks to Professor Chinedum “Chi” Okwudire about vibration, additive manufacturing and why it’s so hard to get kids to play the piano.
Case Study: Cobots help better serve customers and improve environment for workforce
IIoT solutions empower manufacturers with real-time insights to solve problems
Move from manual processes to automated solutions for smart manufacturing success
