IPG Photonics Launches LightWELD Handheld Laser Welding System November 17, 2020 IPG Photonics Corp. has launched LightWELD, a new handheld laser welding system. The LightWELD product line enables fabricators to benefit from the greater flexibility, precision and ease of use enabled by laser-based solutions over traditional welding products, according to IPG Photonics.
Stratasys moving beyond tooling October 27, 2020 Rich, General Motors recently invested in 17 production-grade FDM printers, intending to use them for 3D-printed tooling. The term “tooling” is quite broad, however. Can you share details about what types of tooling GM and others are 3D printing, and why?
Eaton Begins Metal 3D Printing Program October 21, 2020 Power management company Eaton said its Vehicle Group is implementing a new 3D metal printing program as a part of its Industry 4.0 strategy to reduce development time and improve efficiency.
Autonomous Mobile Robots Drive Manufacturing Versatility September 3, 2020 Robotics have come a long way since the first industrial robot was installed at General Motors. Denise Ebenhoech, Regional Head of Advanced Robotics Applications at KUKA Robotics, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to discuss recent developments within mobile robots. From cleans rooms to job shops to moving entire airplane assemblies, autonomous mobile robots are helping manufacturers succeed in today’s advanced manufacturing landscape.
Targeting the Skills Gap in Forming and Fabricating July 24, 2020 As in other industries, U.S. forming and fabricating companies are experiencing a critical shortage of skilled labor. In this SME Media podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Robert Tessier, National Director of Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Airgas about the skills gap in the forming and fabricating industry; changes needed in the education system to fill the need for skilled labor; how automation factors into efforts to reduce the skills gap; and efforts at Airgas to develop workers for manufacturing operations, including a special program for military veterans.
SME 2020 Additive Manufacturing Industry Awards Recognize Leaders in Commercializing AM Technology November 17, 2020 SME’s 2020 Additive Manufacturing Industry Awards will celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of individuals, teams and companies that have had significant impact commercializing AM technology in a virtual ceremony to be held Thursday, Nov. 19.
Layoffs, Social Distancing Drive Machine Shops to Automate Labor-Intensive Finishing Operations October 21, 2020 Whether driven by the reduction of in-shop personnel due to layoffs or to maintain social distancing guidelines into the future, many machine shops will likely be re-evaluating ways to eliminate labor-intensive manual operations if they can be automated instead.
Welding Automation Addresses Skills Shortage October 5, 2020 Like just about every other manufacturing operation, welding has made the leap into the 21st century with automation, agile manufacturing processes, and offline programming.
Ford Leases Boston Dynamics Robots July 28, 2020 Ford Motor Co. is leasing four-legged robots from Boston Dynamics as part of a program to reduce cost and boost efficiency.
Ultimaker Launches Redesigned Printer Management Software June 17, 2020 Ultimaker, Utrecht, Netherlands, and Waltham, Mass., has introduced a redesigned cloud-based printer management solution, called Ultimaker Digital Factory.